Clean energy in focus as air pollution rising

Speakers at a seminar on Thursday laid emphasis on increasing the use of clean energy to cope with the climate change impact on the country's people.

The seminar titled 'Global Policy Narrative of Climate Change and National Environmental Situation' was held at the Dhaka International University (DIU), a statement said.

Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) of the Stamford University Bangladesh organised the seminar in association with the DIU, Bangladesh Centre for Governance and Development, Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD) and The Earth.

A member of Climate Parliament Bangladesh, Shamim Haider Patwary, was present as the chief guest, while DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Saiful Islam presided over the function.

In his speech, Mr Patwary said the extent of air pollution was rising and it would necessitate specialised treatment facilities for the affected people.

"New diseases are emerging among the youngsters in coastal areas due to the increase of salinity. The infertility among women is also on the rise," he said.

Underscoring the need for concerted efforts of all stakeholders, he said people from all walks of life including youth, academicians, lawyers should realise the situation and look for way forwards.

CPRD Chief Executive Md Shamsuddoha presented the keynote paper.

He said the only way to tackle climate change was the limiting of temperature of the globe to the additional 1.5°C at the pre-industrial level.

Unfortunately, the countries which mostly emit the greenhouse gas, do not take the lead to reduce it, whereas they urge the less carbon producing countries to decrease the emission citing the excuse of climate fund.

Such a dual policy in climate diplomacy is actually exacerbating the woes of affected countries and the communities.

Founder Chairman of the CAPS Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said the government set the standard of air quality much higher than the global standard.

The annual standard of a particulate matter (PM) in the air was set at 15 microgram previously, he said. It was later raised to 35 microgram, he added.

It would worsen the air quality situation in future, he warned.

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