Global Climate Strike: Youths want ‘People Not Profit’ first

Global Climate strike in frnt of National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday.

Dhaka, Sept 23 -- Global Climate Strike 2022 was observed in Bangladesh with participation of hundreds of young people in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Friday.

ActionAid Bangladesh, with 72 countries, organized this Climate Strike in collaboration with Fridays for Future and young people groups.

The goal of this climate strike was to urge all nations to act immediately in support of climate justice by sending a loud, yet nonviolent statement, according to a press release.

The strikers demanded that the government declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ and the world leaders must prioritize ‘People Not Profit’.

They also demanded for raising public awareness about the impacts of climate change and the actions needed to be taken to help the people already affected by it.

Their demands were highlighted through powerful slogans and thought-provoking placards in the strike, calling for - ‘Change your behavior, not the climate’, ‘My earth, my responsibility’, ‘Our future in our hand’, ‘Stop using fossil fuel’, ‘Don't gift us a warm future, ‘Your fossil fuel development is destroying our future’, ‘Climate justice, now or never’, ‘Save environment, save human beings’, ‘Youth for Climate Change’, ‘Spread Love, Not Emission’ and many more actions.

“The Paris Agreement's fundamental objective was for all signatory nations to abide by it, in order to safeguard the earth and provide a safe future for next generations. But global leaders have barely actualized the action points of the agreement”, said Nadira Sattar Meem, one of the participants in the climate strike.

“This climate strike will build momentum for children and young people to raise their voices together against the adverse effects of climate change. We cannot afford to continue to suffer in silence. It costs our lives,” said another striker.

The strikers also demanded acknowledgement and opportunities to participate in the upcoming COP27, which will be held in November in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, to share their thoughts and concerns.

Through this climate movement with young people joining from around the globe, including Bangladesh, they wish to continue fighting for climate justice, including in COP 27 this year.

Climate crisis is increasingly exposing children and young people to an imminent danger and an uncertain future. Referring to the climate scientists, young people claimed that even half a degree rise in temperature will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, and extreme heat, causing destruction, displacement and poverty for hundreds of millions of people, particularly for the people from the Global South. It’s an irony given these people had least contributed to this crisis but having to take the biggest toll.

Despite contributing less than 0.47 per cent of global carbon emissions, Bangladesh is one of the most affected by climate change and among the most vulnerable to climate change.

On the occasion of the day, other organizations also held rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club. - UNB