What brings you to Bangladesh?
My research and work are pretty global. I currently work as an envoy of science on air quality with the US State Department. I have been engaging with US embassies and consulates in this region. I have been involved in Pakistan, India and now here in Bangladesh to talk about the air quality, to share my experiences as a scientist and trying to enhance engagements both with the US and these countries. I want to share some US perspectives about air quality and the importance of partnerships and engagements.
How do you feel about the air during your stay in Dhaka?
I have been working on air pollution for almost 30 years and I am very focused on the issue about the sources of air pollution. I am not sure if I feel differently health wise, but I am interested in possible solutions and how things can be fixed here in Bangladesh.
Why should we be concerned about air quality and how can it impact human lives and civilization?
Air pollution leads to ecological imbalances, economic impacts and it is also responsible for climate change. Pollution affects people’s health. From an international perspective, a dirty, polluted city with visibility issues cannot be considered a modern city, so it has economic impacts. We see that there are many examples of improved air quality leading to co-benefits. It is related to many other issues we need to be concerned about.
Could you shed any light on what you discussed with some stakeholders of Dhaka’s air quality management?
I was trying to share my expertise about air quality management and pollution control. There are two issues I have addressed and shared - one is the modern trend and engagement process and control technologies. We also talked about some policies the city authorities have taken to control air pollution and some other major sources of air pollution such as brick kilns, construction works and use of fossil fuels.
Do you find any lacking from the authorities or stakeholders in ensuring the improvement of air quality in Dhaka?
I have been working in this region for years and have found great concern and political will to deal with the issue. I think the stakeholders understand the seriousness of the issue. The people are much more aware than before. The stakeholders are looking for advice, what can be done and how to tackle the issue.
Many cities encourage non-fuelled vehicles like bicycles to improve air quality. But Dhaka city authorities have digressed and banned rickshaw - a three-wheeler non-fuelled vehicle. How do you look at it?
From the safety and congestion point of view, having people walking and riding in rickshaws and bicycles competing with buses and cars is a very difficult problem. From the transportation management point of view, many modern cities have developed separate lanes and pathways for the commuters of non-fuelled vehicles as rickshaws and bicycles for safety.
Air pollution is linked to many other issues and a systematic approach of redesigning transportation system is needed to deal with the issue.
Some say coal-based power plants should be shut off, but in that case, we must not forget how people would get energy. We need to focus on a balanced and eco-friendly system. I do not see any contradiction, rather we need to focus on multiple objectives.
Do you think Bangladesh’s investment in coal and nuclear-based power may affect air quality?
From a climate change point of view, we need to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emission rates, but there something else we need to recognize – the energy demand that addresses poverty, and for economic growth we need energy. We need to burn the coal in a way that it emits carbon dioxide but does not pollute the air. For example, the US is the third-biggest coal user and at the same time we have one of the cleanest airs.
It means one can burn coal to meet the energy demand but it has to do in a way that does not pollute the air. I think there has to be a mechanism to minimize the air pollution when generating power from coal.
