In a reaction note to the newest IPCC report, titled “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis,” released Monday, a group of young climate activists from Bangladesh called for global accountability and climate justice everywhere. Fridays for Future Bangladesh (FFFBD) and YouthNet for Climate Justice have collaborated on an open letter that calls for fairness, justice, and accountability rather than charity or empathy. They also made a promise to accomplish more than they could. Because a climate problem in one place is a climate disaster in other places.
As the world’s parliaments and media turn their attention to the UN Climate Conference, COP26, children and young people demanded five points in a letter signed by Sohanur Rahman, Coordinator, YouthNet for Climate Justice and Founding Member, FFFBD.
Science is unmistakable: the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report has officially spoken for humanity. Climate change is happening all over the world, from Europe to the Americas. The oceans and bays are becoming increasingly polluted and corrosive. Ecosystems are quietly making a distress call. Human activities are rapidly pushing Nature’s boundaries. There are signs of irreversible harm. Cyclones, hurricanes, and floods are becoming more powerful and frequent. Seasonal weather patterns that are irregular are also problematic. The reply letter stated that “new infections and diseases will pose a threat to public health and agriculture.”
Bangladesh has long asked the international press and public to pay attention to our people’s growing vulnerability, according to the letter. Millions of people’s lives and livelihoods are on the line. They are suffering due to no fault of their own. Resilience is reaching new heights in terms of adaptability. Bangladesh, in particular, faces an existential threat. Silently. People’s lives and livelihoods are considerably more at risk around our coasts, islands, riverine areas, and wetlands. The degree of salinity in the soil and water is considerably over what is tolerable. These have already been established. However, actions are either too short or progress too slowly. Acceptance, adoption, and adaptation to #climatechange may be tough. Nonetheless, we must,” the letter states.
The letter further emphasized that maintaining the environment and nurturing nature is a common responsibility. Nations and communities with more resources, capacity, and expertise should not leave those with less behind. Young people were urged to listen to the plights of our farmers, workers, and fishermen from farms to factories, including women and girls; re-think the living – habits – lifestyles – preferences – demand – choices that harm, pollute, and destroy their environment and climate; and ask industry and entrepreneurs to be responsible, responsive, and caring for nature, everywhere, ahead of the COP26. Profit must ensure everyone’s prosperity. They also advocated for the preservation of flora and animals as an unlimited resource worldwide. This open letter also demands that all life-saving technologies, knowledge, and innovation be brought to bear on the environment and climate.
