Nektarina (S)pace interviews BDPollution and Bangladesh for their July Issue 2013

For their July issue 2013, Nektarina (S)pace, a monthly web magazine published by Nektarina Non Profit had requested to do an interview on BDPollution, me and Bangladesh. The interview spanned about 9 questions ranging from what is BDPollution to what inspired me to start BDPollution. Anyways go ahead and catch the article here at Nektarina (S)pace.. To be more specific, check from pages 75 onwards.

Interview courtesy to Sandra Antonovic, Editor-in-Chief, Nektarina (S)pace and CEO of Nektarina Non Profit..

A Single Man's Walking Challenge 1: Gulshan-Dhanmondi-Gulshan

                                                 (On the way)                                                                   

Last year, I realized I was not doing enough on my part to make a difference so I came up with an initiative of my own. I decided to come up with a series of challenges.  I normally go to the park once or twice a week to walk and jog, so I felt I was already trained. Trained for what?  The challenge was to walk from Gulshan 1 to Dhanmondi and back to Gulshan 1, a distance of about 15kms.

I created an event on facebook (since its one the popular social media platform if you want to spread the word about any event). Once I did that, I made a story to explain the challenge. 

The story begins about a young slim fellow, who is a little bit concerned about the environment and decides to make a little difference if not any at all. As he walks on the streets of Dhaka, it strikes to him why not do a series of walking challenges. A simple task to normal people however for him it seems like a challenge and something he feels he need to achieve. So he plans the route for his first challenge from Gulshan-Dhanmondi-Gulshan. A distance of more than 10kms.

Why walk?

Walking from his experience has indicated certain things

- It saves time
- It saves fuel

- It saves money

- Good exercise
- Makes you feel happier

As a 10:10er and eco-blogger, he feels its been awhile since he had a nice long walk. The timing is perfect with the nice winter weather and he knows he will not get bored while walking considering all the exciting and funny things that happens on the streets of Dhaka. 

When does he plan to do so?

Friday,February 10th, 2012

Route: 

Starting point- Gulshan-1 circleMid-way point- Dhanmondi(short pit-stop, not sure, it will depend on his spontaneity)Ending point- Gulshan-1 circle

Problems he might face:

- Getting mugged on broad daylight.
- Oversleeping and missing the challenge completely being a weekend.
- Getting ill prior to the challenge.

Updates about the event:

He plans on twittering while on the move.

Twitter
twitter.com/fhmtech

How can you participant? 

- Cheer him on!
- Criticize him for being an idiot ( there is something called a bicycle, or even better a car..)
- Spread the word that walking is good for many reasons and is not a tedious thing to do- When traveling short distances try walking instead of using the car.- Send an invite to your friends.

What is 10:10?

10:10 is a global campaign run through out the world to promote carbon cutting and reduce climate change. 10:10 Bangladesh joins with organizations, businesses and educational institutes and promote active participation of people through events/projects and raise awareness. www.1010global.org You can sign up your organization or yourself at www.1010global.org/bd (for Bangladeshi citizens)

Country hub of 10:10 Bangladesh- TERM Magazine, a concern of Bangladesh Information Gateway Ltd.(BIG) Ltd.


 The walk itself was very good considering a nice winter morning. I was a bit worried about the weather but it was perfect. I reached my check point in Dhanmondi and grabbed lunch at Nandos with a close friend. After a heavy stomach, I started the return journey, digesting all the food.

According to pace, I reached Dhanmondi in about 1 hour 30mins. It was slightly quicker if I compare with a car. This being the fact, the car is stuck in traffic most of the time. On the return journey, I took about 1 hour 45 mins, kinda slowed down. At the end it was a good challenge, seeing some interesting things on the way.

Surprisingly, I received a lot of interest from people and those who wanted to participate. Hopefully next time I might just let other people be part of it.

Also have to thank Sandra Antonovic for posting a guest post about the event on the web magazine. She is the CEO of Nektarina non profit, Editor in Chief of Nektarina (S)pace web magazine. Check it out here.

Local Climate Meetup in April

2010 is the year where we get to work, a plan designed by our favorite climate group 350.org. So to get your organized, 350.org are asking people to organize local Climate Meetup this April from the 22nd to 29th. Globally communities are organizing and planning for the big day. For those of you do not know, book your calendar cause October 10 2010 is the Global Work Party 10/10/10

They also have come up with their own site 1010global.org. Individuals, businesses, organizations, Educations are all involved, the plan to cut everyone's carbon footprint by 10%. Last year we saw the largest coordinated movement on climate change in human history however even though the output of the Copenhagen was not up to the mark, people still have not given up hope and this year its about getting into the grunt work and bringing results.

Anyways good luck with the Climate Meetup!!

World's People Conference on Climate Change

For the first time a World's People Conference on Climate Change and the Rights to Mother Earth began yesterday in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Their call reads

"Considering that climate change represents a real threat to the existence of humanity, of living beings and our Mother Earth as we know it today; Noting the serious danger that exists to islands, coastal areas, glaciers in the Himalayas, the Andes and mountains of the world, poles of the Earth, warm regions like Africa, water sources, populations affected by increasing natural disasters, plants and animals, and ecosystems in general;

Making clear that those most affected by climate change will be the poorest in the world who will see their homes and their sources of survival destroyed, and who will be forced to migrate and seek refuge;

To know more about their activities you can go through their website here.
To see the live feed of the conference please visit here.
The conference is due to end on April 22,2010 celebrating Earth Day 40th Anniversary also.

Earth Day- April 22 2010

This year, Earth Day turns 40 and the only thing you can do is TAKE ACTION!. This year, the climate movement is about getting to work and doing something. Last year we saw people taking action.So what can you do? Actually a lot of things,and small things can make a difference. There are some organizing tools for you to check you if you want to organize an event for Earth Day. Other than that the Earth Day Network has a list of events taking place, so if you live nearby drop by.

Earth Hour becomes official in Bangladesh

As I was preparing for the seminar on Energy Savings, I have been talking to WWF Australia to see if I could establish Earth Hour officially. As I was conversing with them, they referred me to a local organization, the Centre for Coastal Environmental Conservation (CCEC) in Khulna. Mr. Mowdudur Rahman, Founder Director of Centre for Coastal Environmental Conservation (CCEC)& IUCN-CEC (Bangladesh) talked to the Mayor of Khulna, and the Mayor has given his full support for establishing Earth Hour. Mr.Rahman is the anchor man for the event. If you wish to participate in this event please let me know. They have also an Earth Hour leaflet in Bangla, which they are distributing. To receive that also please email me.

We only have a few hours left for Earth Hour, just to let you know, it starts at 8:30pm-9:30pm local time. For those of you in Bangladesh, owing to regular power cuts, you are already participating Earth Hour on a daily basis. Anyways for other countries, best of luck with the event.

Centre for Coastal Environmental Conservation(CCEC)
Takdir Mohal,
House # 93 Road # 2 Sonadanga R/A,
Khulna-9000, Bangladesh
Website: www.ccecbd.org

Earth Hour- Seminar on Energy Savings

Now with March 27th 2010 just round the corner, preparations for Earth Hour are in full swing. Over the last couple of days, I have been conversing with WWF Australia to get Bangladesh aboard as another country to the list of 88 countries who have signed for celebrating Earth Hour. I am still in discussions however in the mean time, IEEE AIUB Student Branch and I have organized a Seminar on Energy Savings, keeping that the theme.

Event Details

Day: Thursday, 25th 2010
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: AIUB Auditorium, Campus 1&5
Address: 58/B, Road-21, Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani,Dhaka

Event Speakers

!) Engr. A.H.M Mohiuddin
Chairman of Power & Energy Society

2) Engr.M.Omar Faruq
CEO & Consultant
Faruq M&E Consultant

3) Syed M.S. Zafar
Managing Director
TERM Magazine- A business monthly

4) Muhammad Faheem Faruq
Local Supporter of Earth Hour

Earth Day will reach it's 40th anniversary

For those, who are getting ready for Earth Hour this March 27th don't forget above April 22nd 2010. Earth Day reaches it's 40th anniversary this year and with eyes on Mexico this December, big plans are on for store. With almost 50 events registered and many more already in the planning stage, Earth Day will seem like another large climate movement. Sign for actions near your place or create an event.

Copenhagen: Failure or A Start

Its been more than a week since one of the most anticipating summit of all time, a crucial moment in human history, the decision that was supposed to change the way we live. But the outcome of the Copenhagen had mixed reactions.

Failure:

With the inception of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCC) on 1992, almost twenty years down the line, a strong protocol still could not be established. Copenhagen was the moment, the turning point but politicians failed to come up with a strong protocol where all developed countries where to participate especially the major countries US and China.

I have to say, 20 years and yet we still cannot come up with a decision on a strong climate framework. The science is clear. In the ending moments of the summit, politicians scrambled to show the world they could do sometime and salvage the most important climate convention. They came up with the "The Copenhagen Accord." I read the accord and really there is nothing specific mentioned in the accord. No numbers, no figures nothing. No specific commitment only a figure they will pay the LDCs (Least developing countries) an amount of $30bn over the next three years till 2012 when after that, it is expected that the figure will be increased. Even this figure of $30bn is not sufficient for LDCs to sustain. My country, Bangladesh are one of the major victims and our Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina made it clear that we require more money to sustain. Remember total cost for combating climate change is $100bn per year.

Since no solid decision has been made, next year in COP16 at Mexico, it is expected a final decision to be settled. I was watching a debate on BBC on the last day of Copenhagen and I remember Maldives President Mr. Nasheed, that we have a window of 7 years to come up with a protocol and we cannot delay this any further. Yet we have to wait for COP16.


A Start:

Ever since Nasa top climatologist, Dr. James Hansen on 2008 said that 350ppm(parts per million) was the target to be set by countries to maintain a healthy environment, worldwide campaigns were going driven by youths all over the world, which we all know as 350.org. But 350.org were not the only group, organizations like tcktcktck.org, Avaaz, Greenpeace and countless organizations campaigned for a better future. They formed one of the largest movements for climate justice in human history. Honestly as I went through the net and saw how many people were involved for a "Real Deal" is really surprising. In the middle of the summit, 350 Virgils, a campaign by 350 was organized on the weekend of December 11th-13th globally, hoping that world leaders pay attention. A mail I received from 350 that an elephant is moving and an elephant is an under statement. This is A START from the people and their hard work will pay one day, the day a "Real Deal" is made but until that the elephant should become more bigger.

I think the Copenhagen Accord is a start for the politicians but they are very behind and if they not catch up real fast, lets just say we will not have a home to stay. Also China has suggested that it will move into renewable energies and will cut their carbon emissions but no exact figure was mentioned. India has also said that it will shift into renewable energies over the next couple of years and by 2020 it plans to complete some projects on renewable sources of energy.

A friend of mine, Muntasir Muzahid Chowdhury came up with a song for the summit and since I was caught up with other things, I am posting it now. The name of the song is E.A.R.T.H (Elegies, Accusations, Redemption, Truths, Hereafter)

http://www.mediafire.com/?idtgmz0mqnd

You can get the lyrics here.


I salute all the people who participated in this global movement. The people who waited in line at Copenhagen to make their points heard, all campaigners WELL DONE! but its not over. But for now, lets just enjoy the holidays!

Workshop on 350 and Climate Change: What it has to do with you?

In the effort of creating an awareness of 350.org and its goal, I have organized a workshop at American International University Bangladesh(AIUB), a private university in Bangladesh. I will be doing a presentation on "350 and Climate Change: What it has to do with you? The workshop is in association with 350.org, BDPollution and IEEE AIUB Student Branch. As I am an IEEE member and studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering(EEE) at AIUB, I chose IEEE AIUB Student Branch to help me with setting this workshop up.

The details are:

Date: November 19,2009
Time: 11am-2pm
Venue: AIUB Auditorium

The big day: International Day of Climate Action

It has finally dawned to us, the great movement to bring change. Today, October 24th 2009, could probably change mankind's future. All over the globe people are chanting the number 350. A number that will be written in history books but that the fact that this number could save our life.

What does 350 represent? This is question I have been getting from people when I first started initiating an action to mark this day. I have initiated an awareness program at American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) firstly but posting the official 350 posters on the notice boards. This will build the hype of 350. Soon after I will be organizing a workshop "350 and Climate Change! What it has to do with you?". Lets hope I can get it approved.

There are over 4000 events spread across 170 countries to show world leaders that climate change is damaging our environment and that we have to do something about it. It is still unclear if any deal with come out from the Copenhagen summit whether if there are going to be any new climate policy.


In the mean time keep yourself updated here about 350.org new actions.

http://twitter.com/350dotorg

World Habitat day: October 5th 2009

The first Monday of each October has been declared as World Habitat Day. This year, the day falls on the 5th of October and Habitat for Humanity has done a great job at providing support for the homeless. They are more than 100 million people who are homeless, according to the United Nations.


What you can do to help? Habitat for humanity have given a head's up about that:

1) Advocate
2) Educate
3) Donate

Let's stand up on World Habitat Day and let it be known that affordable, adequate housing should be a priority everywhere—in our communities, in our towns, in our country, in our world.

Show your support and take action!