IN OUR MINDS - Global climate expert Saleemul Huq gone but not forgotten
Huq was an inspirational and visionary leader, a master strategist, and a mentor to hundreds of people. His death has sent shockwaves through the vast community of people working on climate change
LONDON, United Kingdom (Planet Defence) - He was an inspirational and visionary leader, a master strategist, and a mentor to hundreds of people. His death has sent shockwaves through the vast community of people working on climate change.
Death of Saleemul Huq, a Bangladesh national expert on climate, environment and development on 28th October, 2023 sent shockwaves across the globe. Huq was well known in climate circles for doing impactful research and championing climate action on the globe.
While working at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), late Huq met former News Editor at the Science and Development and Network who was recruited as IIED Press Officer. In this farewell piece MIKE SHANAHAN writes in honour of the fallen climate expert in memory of the time spent together at the IIED
I was devastated to learn that my friend and former colleague Saleemul Huq died at his home in Bangladesh on 28th October, 2023. Few individuals have had a greater impact on humanity’s response to the climate emergency than him. It was an honour to know and work with such a man.
Without Saleem, the world would be hotter today than it is. Communities the world over would be less prepared to face what is coming. And we would have less hope of ever reigning in the climate monster. He was an inspirational and visionary leader, a master strategist, and a mentor to hundreds of people. His death has sent shockwaves through the vast community of people working on climate change.
I first encountered Saleem when I was working as a journalist and needed a comment on a story on climate change. Soon, and for eight years, I was working alongside him at the International Institute for Environment and Development, where he led the climate change group and I was the organization’s press officer.
Saleem was a dream to work with as he never turned down a chance to talk to journalists about climate change. He would be ready at 4:00 am for an interview with a reporter on the other side of the world.
He would say “yes” to a media request whether it came from a major broadcaster or a tiny newspaper. I introduced him to hundreds of journalists and he gave his time and knowledge to them all. Saleem was on a mission and he knew that each second counted. He took every opportunity to push the world towards a sustainable future.
Other colleagues and friends have written about Saleem’s immense impacts on climate change policy. He also did more than nearly anyone to inform and educate journalists and, through them, raise awareness of climate change among hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Some of the journalists who knew Saleem well and who have written obituaries include Joydeep Gupta, Jayanta Basu and Seth Borenstein.
Saleem’s passing is hard to take in. I will remember him for his softly-spoken words and the glint in his eye, his warmth, good humour, generosity and tireless commitment to justice.
The outpouring of love for him on social media this week has been powerful reminder of how many lives Saleem touched and how many careers he shaped.
This is perhaps his greatest legacy, the small army of Saleem-inspired researchers, activists, negotiators, policymakers, journalists and others in every corner of the world who have committed their lives to addressing the climate and ecological emergencies. I’m sure his passing will inspire many to redouble their efforts.
Goodbye Saleem. The work goes on. We will never forget you.
* Mike Shanahan previously worked at the Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net) as News Editor in the United Kingdom. He later moved on to join the International Institute for Environment and Development where he worked as a Press Officer. It is here where they became friends with the late Saleemul Huq.