Dr. Jamie Schauer, the US Science Envoy for Air Quality, concluded a week-long visit to Bangladesh on 16 January, emphasising the US government's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in addressing air pollution challenges. The visit, which took place from 12-16 January involved collaboration with local academics, government officials, and NGOs to share expert insights and practical solutions for improving air quality in the country.
Dr. Schauer, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Director of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, has held the position of US Science Envoy for Air Quality since 2018. Throughout his visit, Dr. Schauer stressed the importance of air quality management, policy development, and academic collaboration to tackle the complex issues of air pollution in Bangladesh, reads a press release.
On 12 January, Dr. Schauer delivered a keynote speech at the Air Quality Research and Environmental Policy Discussion at Dhaka University, where Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in the interim government, was the Chief Guest. During the event, Dr. Schauer discussed the sources of Dhaka's critical air pollution, which include power plants, vehicles, biomass burning, waste combustion, construction dust, and brick kilns. He highlighted the urgent need for advanced monitoring systems and the adoption of cleaner technologies.
Dr. Schauer presented recommendations for mitigating air pollution, including the use of cleaner fuels, installing air pollution control devices on power plants and vehicles, improving waste management practices, and implementing dust control measures. He emphasized the importance of building capacity, fostering innovation, and encouraging partnerships between government, industry, civil society, and academia to develop sustainable solutions.
Recognising that air pollution stems from multiple sectors, Dr. Schauer met with stakeholders from the power generation and transportation sectors to discuss technological solutions for cleaning emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants.
On 14 January, Dr. Schauer’s delegation visited the US Embassy’s Air Quality Monitor, which measures airborne PM2.5 levels, and participated in a discussion on a popular private television channel, sharing insights from international experts on Bangladesh's air quality challenges.
Dr. Schauer was accompanied by two other professors, Dr. Jill Baumgartner from McGill University and Dr. Benjamin de Foy from Saint Louis University, who contributed their expertise in environmental health and atmospheric sciences. The visit highlights the U.S. government’s continued support for Bangladesh's air quality improvement efforts through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and policy development.
