Bangladeshi expatriates in Australia and the Australian government have expressed their commitment to combat multiple effects of climate change in Bangladesh. The commitment came at a symposium to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bangladesh Environment Network (Ben) in Canberra last week. The symposium titled 'Environment and Bangladesh' was organised by Ben's Australian chapter at the Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra to strengthen ties between Ben and environmentalists in Australia. In a message to the symposium, Ben Coordinator Nazrul Islam said jolted by the looming danger posed to the country by climate change, Bangladeshis, both inside and outside the country, are waking up more widely to environmental issues. The symposium was attended by prominent Australian environmental activist and former legislator Kerry Tucker, Executive Director of Australia Institute Richard Dennis, AUSAID Director for Environment and Climate Change Brian Dawson and acting Bangladesh High Commissioner Mahbub Saleh. The speakers acknowledged the multiple challenges facing Bangladesh as a result of climate change, largely exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions from the rich and developed nations. At the symposium divided into three sessions, eight presentations were made by scholars and activists who outlined the series of challenges facing Bangladesh as a result of climate change. Of them, three presentations included 'The role of expatriate Bangladeshis to protect the environment', 'Water management' and 'Effects of climate change on energy, health and infrastructure'. Bangladeshi-origin scholars, environmental activists and expatriates also participated in the celebration of 10th anniversary of Ben, a global network of expatriate Bangladeshis and friends supporting environmental causes in Bangladesh. The network also held its 10th celebrations in New York last month.