Bangladeshi couple for green world

A Bangladeshi couple are going around the region on their trusty motorcycle to reach out to the people and personally deliver a message: climate change is real and everyone has a role to play.

Mohammad Shahade Ferdous, 47, and his wife Fatema Sultana Shama, 42, are in Malaysia after riding through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore and Indonesia on a Honda LA Custom 250T.

“Every person has the duty and ability to do something about climate change,” said Mohammad Shahade about their “Ride for Greener Earth” mission.

Throughout their self-funded journey, which kicked off on May 19, the duo have been giving out pamphlets on climate change.

“We want to engage with people by talking to them on the roadside, giving minor roadshows and talking to the media in every country we visit,” said Mohammad Shahade, a manager and global distributor with a wellness and beauty products company.

“Living on this earth, we feel it is our moral obligation to do so.”

He said he and his wife, who do not have any children, were concerned over the devastating effects that climate change would bring to their beloved country.

“We have the Sundarbans, a mangrove forest that is home to the Bengal tigers and other endangered species. It’s also a Unesco world heritage site.

“And we have people living on the coastal parts of our country.

“What will happen if the water level continues to rise due to climate change? It will all go underwater,” he said.

Fatema, a government department officer and presenter for Bangladesh Radio, said their mission had not been free of challenges.

“There were times when our motorcycle was held back but we were allowed through by the immigration,” she said.

But she added that it was all worth it if they could get more people to be aware of climate change.

“We sacrifice for the good of mankind,” she added.

Their next destination is Thailand.

Also on their itinerary are Brunei, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Follow the couple’s journey at www.globaladventure.com.bd.

Source: The Star Malaysia