US air quality envoy visits Dhaka
During his visit, he met with the prime minister’s principle coordinator
Professor Dr. James J Schauer, the US Science Envoy for Air Quality, visited Dhaka from July 20 to 26 to discuss with professionals in Bangladesh about air quality and reducing pollution.
During his visit, he met with the prime minister’s principle coordinator for sustainable development goals and discussed about integrating air quality solutions with the SDGs.
He also discussed with the directors general of Department of Environment and Directorate of General Health Services as well as the mayor of the Dhaka North City Corporation about the government steps for addressing the issue of air quality.
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Dr. Schauer also discussed about the effects of air pollution on different diseases with scientists from International Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) and the US-based Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, during his visit to icddr,b.
He also inspected the air quality monitor used at the US embassy for testing quality of air in Bangladesh. Data from these machines are combined with that of the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) Project of Bangladesh government, to get a more accurate picture of air quality in the country.
Dr. Schauer also briefed the media about air quality issues and gave guidelines to journalists from different media outlets about preparing informed-reports on the topic.
Afterward, he attended an academic event at the University of Dhaka where he delivered a speech on air quality before 200 students and professors from six universities including DU. He also visited the Atomic Energy Commission in Dhaka.
During his visits to the universities, he shared thoughts about problems of present air quality in Bangladesh and their solutions with a number of experts on the matter.
He arranged a roundtable discussion with University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh and Edward M Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts.
Dr. Schauer also discussed with the six-member team from Bangladesh set to visit the TechCamp in Kathmandu, Nepal from July 29-31. The TechCamp is an initiative of US Department of State to bring together influential thinkers and practitioners to encourage dialogue on the issue.
