UNDP and BDCyclists organise climate change awareness cycling event

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh in association with BDCyclists organised a cycling event to raise public awareness on climate change in Dhaka today.

The event continued from 6:30am to 9am in the morning as part of the “Pole to Paris” campaign supported by UNDP.

Dr Daniel Price, a climate/ polar system scientist led the tour along with BDCyclists members. The event started from Manik Mia Avenue where a critical mass of around 100 cyclists gathered for the ride. Senior UNDP officials also participated at the event.

Pole to Paris is a public awareness campaign ahead of the UN climate change negotiations (the 21st Congress of Parties or COP21) in Paris at the end of this year.  The campaign is following two climate / polar system scientists as they travel from the “poles” (New Zealand and Norway) to Paris on bike or on foot, raising awareness on climate change issues along the way.

Dr. Daniel Price, who started from the Southern pole in New Zealand has already biked in several countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand and is currently in Bangladesh.

Since coming to Bangladesh earlier this month, Daniel has travelled extensively all over the country to observe firsthand the effects of climate change and how Bangladesh is adapting to the effects of global warming. Daniel has also met with relevant government officials.

Daniel’s journey in Bangladesh, and elsewhere, has been documented in a video series, beginning with the impacts of Climate Change at the poles and highlighting the consequences globally if the negotiations fail to succeed in Paris. The film will be showcased in Paris during COP21.