Dhaka in int'l spotlight over adverse impact of global warming

LONDON, Sept 9 (UNB) Bangladesh is in the international spotlight over the adverse impacts of global warming as a high-profile conference begins here Wednesday.brThe aim of the meet is to focus the need for an agreement on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and enhance Bangladesh's capability to adapt to perilous impacts of climate change.brBritain and Bangladesh have jointly sponsored the conference titled UK-Bangladesh Climate Change Conference Bangladesh Facing the Challenge at the Royal Geographical Society. Environment scientists, experts, officials and civil society will attend the conference.brMinister for UK Department for International Development Douglas Alexander MP and Bangladesh Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam will jointly inaugurate the conference, first-ever international meet exclusively designed for Bangladesh, a worst victim of the erratic behaviour of nature causing frequent cyclones, floods and prolonged droughts.brThe adversities stemming from the changing climate under the impact of heavy carbon emission by developed countries are threatening to set back the impoverished nation's efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, particularly through its devastating consequences for agriculture and food security. brBangladesh is trapped between the Himalayas in the north and the encroaching Bay of Bengal to the south. The delta is most vulnerable to natural disaster due to the frequency of extreme climate events and its high population density. brThe predicted temperature increase will cause the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas. The experts say Bangladesh may lose one-third of its landmass due to the rise of sea level, which is the direct outcome of climate change.br