Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Young people have demanded that public investment banks and private sector organisations redirect the investments made in fossil fuels and harmful agribusiness towards more sustainable projects, renewable energy, and agroecology.
They made the demand at a rally in front of the National Press Club. The protest ended with a call for climate justice.
ActionAid, a leading NGO, organised the gathering.
Young people who participated in the Global Climate Strike stated that the fossil financiers from the Global North are the primary cause of the man-made climate crisis, neocolonial exploitation, wars, and human rights violations.
With the capitalistic mindset of making profits, the historically largest emitters of greenhouse gases are responsible for the climate destruction that is particularly and disproportionately harming youth, farmers, women, and marginalised communities in the Global South.
These practices are also increasing the ecological debt of the Global North, which they owe to the communities most affected by the climate crisis.
Thousands of young people from Activista Bangladesh Platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and more than 20 youth organisations attended the Global Climate Strike this time.
In the gathering, young activists along with people from all walks of life demanded climate justice through slogans, placards, figures, songs, plays, and posters demanding ‘FixTheFinance’, ‘End Fossil Finance Now’; ‘Invest in Renewables’; ‘Stop Financing Harmful Agribusiness’; ‘Climate Justice Now’; ‘Invest in Agroecology’ and many more.
Young activist Fahida Sultana said, “Today, we are fighting to put an end to fossil finance and focus more on renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. We are being hurt by the profit-hungry mentality of the wealthy. Our future cannot be sacrificed for the profits of greedy corporations.”
Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Lead-Young People, ActionAid Bangladesh, remarked, “In solidarity with the young people, we raise our voices in a resounding call to dismantle fossil finance and prioritise sustainable investments in renewable energy and agroecology.”
Farah Kabir, country director, ActionAid Bangladesh, expressed, “In the wave of global youth-led climate actions, ActionAid Bangladesh supports young climate activists and their platforms across the country to act and demand climate justice.”
She said, "Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world; therefore, we echo the demand of young people to put an end to fossil fuels and finance green transitions."
Furthermore, she urged for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine.
“We stand in firm solidarity with the innocent children and women who are being slaughtered by the occupational force," she said.
We believe that the choices we made now will shape the world for generations to come in the realm of achieving justice.”
Young people also urged for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine and to stop the inhumane war that is going on right now.
They expressed their deep empathy and sorrow for all the civilians, especially small children and infants, who lost their precious lives.