Staff Reporter :The United States will stand beside Bangladesh on mitigation and adaptation of the adverse effect of the global warming Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin met Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) at the Capitol Hill on Thursday (23 July) where they discussed, among others, adverse impacts of climate change in Bangladesh, said a press release issued by the Embassy of Bangladesh, Washington DC on Friday.Lowenthal is an influential spokesman for climate change and environment protection and currently Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on ‘Safe Climate’.The Ambassador said, climate change, a reality of life of the people of Bangladesh, 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 on mitigation and adaptation of the severe effects of climate change.The Ambassador said, 1cm 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 said that three USAID projects worth of US$ 86.6 million are being implemented in Bangladesh in this connection.The Ambassador urged the developed nations, including the USA, to support formulation of a binding instrument on CO2 emission to save the global environment.Congressman Lowenthal said, he is aware of the vulnerability of Bangladesh and expressed his firm willingness to stand beside Bangladesh on this issue.Discussing religious extremism and radicalization, Ziauddin briefed the Congressman about the genesis of religion-based politics in Bangladesh and its purposeful manifestation by the BNP and Jamaat alliance in recent times.Congressman Lowenthal thanked the Ambassador for the meeting and assured his all out support for Bangladesh. Political Counsellor Nayem Uddin Ahmed of the Embassy accompanied the Ambassador.
