Won't rickshaw pullers be evaluated for their role in reducing carbon emissions

When a car's wheel turns, it emits approximately 162.1 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. But when the wheel of the rickshaw turns, there is no carbon emission. In our city, Dhaka, there are approximately twelve lakh rickshaws plying the narrow alleys. It's challenging to determine how many kilometers each of these vehicles travels daily. However, it's relatively easy to estimate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from burning petrol in Dhaka if rickshaws were not present. But are rickshaw pullers given any incentives to reduce carbon emissions? They are not. But why?

Let's start the story from here. In the bustling streets of the capital's Free School Street, some people have opened a restaurant. They named it ‘Hotel of good work.’ Here, free food is served during the day. Rickshaw pullers, poor people, and many others come here to eat that food. One day, I got into a rickshaw from that place in the afternoon. I asked the rickshaw puller if he had eaten lunch. He replied, ‘No’. I said, "You could eat here." The rickshaw puller replied, "Uncle, I don't like eating here." I was surprised and asked why. The rickshaw puller said, "They feed us at an open place. People stare at me while I eat. I don't feel comfortable with that."

I was deeply touched by witnessing the sense of dignity of a rickshaw puller! It occurred to me, if non-governmental organizations (NGOs) plant trees and receive funds from climate funds, then why wouldn't rickshaw pullers benefit? Similarly, if carbon credits are obtained by reducing carbon emissions through the construction of solar power plants, then why not rickshaw pullers? Isn't it true that uneducated and unorganized people lack advocates to speak up for their rights? That's why they are often deprived of their rightful rights. Few speak up on their behalf because there's no opportunity for personal gain in doing so.

However, the government receives funding from various domestic and international organizations to reduce carbon emissions. In that case, rickshaw pullers should also be stakeholders in that funding because they contribute the most to reducing carbon emissions by sacrificing their livelihoods in this city. Even though their contribution is not acknowledged by everyone, they are often identified as the main cause of traffic congestion in this city. To restore order on the roads, certain roads have been designated as VIP routes, where rickshaw operations are prohibited. After independence, Tajuddin Ahmad used to ride a bicycle to the Ministry. Even though that hope is no longer there, there could have been a separate lane on the roads for cyclists. Not just for cyclists, but also for rickshaws. Unfortunately, none of these exist.

Westerners are using bicycles to reduce carbon emissions. Some institutions in our country are even manufacturing wooden bicycles and selling them in Europe. They use bicycles for short distances. Our roads are not such that everyone can ride a bicycle if they want. However, who will help the rickshaw pullers who are contributing to reducing carbon emissions to get their dues?

In our educational institutions, scholarships are now disbursed. For this, a certain amount of money is sent to the mobile bank accounts of the students' guardians at specific intervals. Then why can't registration be done in the name of rickshaw pullers? A question may arise here: a rickshaw puller may not always be pulling the rickshaw. There is a simple solution to this as well. Now, with the help of mobile phones, everyone's location can be determined. Therefore, it is not very difficult to ascertain whether a rickshaw puller is pulling the rickshaw every day or not.

The question is, how will this money come? Wealthy countries around the world provide funds for reducing carbon emissions. And big companies that emit more carbon also invest here. National or private institutions in our country can apply to acknowledge the contribution of our rickshaw pullers. If these institutions receive funds, then rickshaw pullers can receive financial support from them.

On the other hand, the government imposes taxes on vehicles in our country. A portion of this tax revenue could be allocated to rickshaw pullers. Because those who buy cars use the roads and simultaneously contribute to carbon emissions. Due to various reasons like this, they pay extra taxes. So, why shouldn't those individuals or organizations advocating for carbon reduction be stakeholders in this revenue? Two more popular brands in Bangladesh's car market are Korean Hyundai-Kia. Together, these two car manufacturers have used 5.2 million tons of steel. Consequently, we can also make this request to them. As cars in our country contribute to further carbon emissions, we can strongly appeal to them for this initiative.

There is an organization in the country named Climate Change Trust. The trust finances those who play a role in reducing carbon emissions. However, they have never appreciated the significant role of rickshaw pullers. Giving money is a far-off possibility.