Thousands of young people and their platforms joined a Global Climate Strike in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 19, 2024, and demanded #EndFossilFinance. Young activists demanded that public investment banks and private sector organizations redirect investments in fossil fuels and harmful agribusiness towards more sustainable projects, renewable energy, and agroecology.
Demanding the end of fossil finance, they asked the global leaders to fund their future. They pointed out that it is young people’s future they are destroying to gain money for their present, and they are making decisions for the future which they do not have to live on, but the young people have to.
Thousands of young people from Activista Bangladesh Platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and more than 20 youth organizations attended the Global Climate Strike this time. Activista volunteers from 21 districts and their seven local hubs also protested in solidarity with the climate activists across Bangladesh by participating in local demonstrations in Satkhira, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Kurigram, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Jamalpur, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Mymansing, Bhola, Sylhet, Nilphamari, Kushtia, Munshiganj, Barishal, Teknaf and Barguna and many other places.
In this lively and peaceful gathering, young activists and people from all walks of life demanded climate justice through slogans, placards, figures, songs, plays, and posters demanding ‘End Fossil Finance Now’, ‘Invest in Renewables’, ‘ Stop Financing Harmful Agribusiness’, ‘Climate Justice Now’, ‘Invest in Agroecology’, and many more.
Young people who participated in the Global Climate Strike stated that the fossil financers from the Global North are the primary cause of the manmade climate crisis, neocolonial exploitation, wars, and human rights violations. With the capitalistic mindset of making a profit, the historically largest emitters of greenhouse gases are responsible for the climate destruction that is particularly and disproportionately harming youth, farmers, women, and marginalized communities in the Global South. These practices are also increasing the ecological debt of the Global North that they owe to the most affected communities by the climate crisis.
Young people are, therefore, demanding that the historically largest emitters, the Global North, and financial institutions immediately divert public expenditure away from subsidizing fossil fuels and industrial agriculture and fund feminist-just transitions to solutions such as renewables and agroecology.
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.
A young activist said, “Today, we are fighting to bring an end to fossil finance and focus more on renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. The profit-hungry mentality of the wealthy is hurting us. Our future cannot be sacrificed for profit for greedy corporations. We are also demanding an immediate ceasefire in Palestine and stopping the atrocious war, which is depriving everyone of rights. Together, we, the young people, want to be the driving force to establish a more just, climate-friendly, and humane society for all.”
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 prioritize sustainable investments in renewable energy and agroecology. Now is the time for action, not just talking, as we envision a future where profit never trumps the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. We demand the global north to become responsible to accept responsibility for achieving climate justice and transfer technology as well as resources to foster green transition.
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. 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, we urge for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, as we stand in firm solidarity with the innocent children and women who are being slaughtered by occupational force. We believe that the choices we made now will shape the world for generations to come in the realm of achieving justice.”
