#People2Biden
The United States is the second largest greenhouse gas emitting country in the world while fourth largest per capita emitter among the Annex-1 countries. It is also the historically highest emitting country. As the US policymakers’ role is crucial to ensure a greener earth, most of the important international climate related instruments have been taken with consent of the United States. But historically it escaped from due responsibility by not signing up to the Kyoto Protocol and withdrew itself from the Paris Agreement.
After winning in the election of 2020, US president Joe Biden took the decision to return the United States to the Paris Agreement on the first day in office. Consequently he called for a conference called “Leaders Summit on Climate” on 22-23 April 2021 and invited 40 global leaders to join the Summit. The thematic areas of the summit are: (i) Galvanizing efforts by the world’s major economies to reduce emissions; (ii) mobilizing public and private sector finance to drive the net-zero transition; (iii) transition to a new clean energy economy; (iv) Spurring transformational technologies that can help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change; (v) showcasing subnational and non-state actors that are committed to green recovery and an equitable vision for limiting warming to 1.5 degree celsius; and (vi) discussing opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change.
But there are outcries for ambitious emission reduction by the United States economy, both nationally and internationally, divest from fossil fuel without making any late, contribute equitable share in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as pledged, reparation for loss and damage, technology transfer to the developing countries for adaptation and mitigation, stop all types of market-based solutions and ensure community-ownership in the green recovery.
Meanwhile, US President’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Mr. John Kerry is going to visit Bangladesh on 9 April 2021, Friday to formally invite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the Leaders Summit.
To ensure that our voices are heard, the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) has taken a number of programs under #People2Biden Campaign with colleagues and like-minded organizations in Bangladesh and South Asia.
The Programs are:
- 7 April 2021, Wednesday: People2Biden Online Press Conference in Bangladesh
- 8 April 2021, Thursday: Submission of a People2Biden Statement to on behalf of the Climate vulnerable people of Bangladesh
- 16 April 2021, Friday: Submission of People2Biden Video Message to President Joe Biden on behalf of South Asian climate affected communities.
- 20 April 2021, Tuesday: South Asian Online People2Biden Conference to raise our common demands together to President Biden and global leaders.
- 21 April 2021, Thursday: Submission of Video Speeches to the US Administration
How Can You join?
- Register to join any of the programs to make the campaign stronger
- Invite your friends and colleagues to join any of our programs
- Organize any type of messaging program with (hashtag) #People2Biden
- Share the programs, photos or links on Social Media with (hashtag) #People2Biden
For any suggestions, please write to bwged.bd@gmail.com