US with BD in mitigating global warming impacts

US Congressman Alan Lowenthal has said he is aware of the vulnerability of Bangladesh and expressed his firm willingness to stand beside Bangladesh for mitigation and adaptation of the adverse effect of the global warming, reports UNB.

Lowenthal (D-CA), a powerful spokesman for climate change and environment protection and currently chair of the Congressional Caucus on 'Safe Climate', said this when Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin met him at the Capitol Hill on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed, among other things, the adverse impacts of climate change on Bangladesh.

Ziauddin said climate change is a fact of life of Bangladesh people though it is hardly of their own making. Bangladesh being one of the least emitters of CO2 (with only 0.3 metric ton per capita emission) is the most vulnerable to the adverse impact of the changing climate.

He said the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has created a 'Trust Fund' and launched nearly 250 projects in Bangladesh for mitigation and adaptation of the severe effects of climate change, according to a message received here on Friday.

The Ambassador said 01cm of sea rise will inundate one fifth of Bangladesh and displace 25-30 million people, which is a serious threat to Bangladesh, its neighbours and the world as a whole.

Ziauddin mentioned that three USAID projects worth of US$ 86.6 million are being implemented in Bangladesh to adapt with and mitigate the adverse impacts of the changing climate.

The Ambassador urged the developed nations including the USA to support formulation of a binding instrument on CO2 emission to save the global environment.