Youth human chain demanding increased investment in renewable energy to combat climate change
Volunteer for Environment International (vfe) organized a protest and human chain with 3,000 youths demanding more investment in renewable energy and climate justice to protect the future. The program was held on Manik Mia Avenue Road in front of the Parliament Building at Dhaka, Bangladesh on April 19.
During the global ‘Climate Strike,’ youth expressed their demand for climate justice with banners, signs, songs, performances, and artwork. Their demand was to stop financing fossil fuels and increase investment in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly projects.
Today marks the Global Climate Strike, a call for climate protection, energy security, halting fossil fuel financing, expanding renewable energy, and boosting investment in sustainable agriculture.
In support of the global strike, 3,000 young climate activists from 33 organizations across 18 districts, led by vfe, marched in the streets. The youth platform of ‘ActionAid Bangladesh’, Activista Bangladesh, supported the youth in this program.
During the global climate strike, youth called on world leaders to stop funding fossil fuels that harm the climate and hinder a sustainable future.
After the rally, the young climate warriors held a procession in front of the National Parliament and regrouped on the avenue at Khamarbari at Dhaka. The streets were filled with the slogans of the youth.
Sheikh Shahrukh Farhan, a young climate rights activist and Executive Coordinator of Volunteer for Environment International (vfe), stated at the rally, “If we don’t address climate change now, its consequences could one day threaten humanity’s existence.” So the time to act is now, if not now, then never.’
He also said that developed countries are creating a climate crisis by financing fossil fuels. They are destroying this world through neo-colonial exploitation, war and human rights violations. The highest greenhouse gas emitters with a capitalist mentality are leading the world to destruction by financing fossil fuels.
Where profit is more important than people. This is severely destroying the ecosystem and climate on Earth. As a result, it is having an adverse impact on the youth, farmers, women, and marginalized communities of the South.
Shahrukh Farhan added that this is increasing their environmental debt to the most affected communities in underdeveloped countries manifold. The Global Climate Strike is urging investment in sustainable projects and renewable energy rather than fossil fuels.
