Environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems cannot be destroyed due to development projects
Development projects should never destroy the local environment, biodiversity, ecosystems, and public resources. Companies or organizations must be held legally accountable so that they compensate those affected by their activities. The Government of Bangladesh should create a roadmap to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Local and foreign experts and stakeholders raised these issues during the second Climate Justice Rally in Dhaka on December 13. DHORA, an NGO in Bangladesh, organized the rally to protect the earth. At this rally, local and foreign participants discussed climate, energy, and environmental protection.
The two-day gathering included Social Welfare Advisor Sharmeen S. Murshid, Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar, Professor Anu Muhammad, Riverfox Environmental CEO Donna Lisenby, Philippine Climate Justice Coordinator Ian Rivera, and various local and international experts and stakeholders.
The second day of the gathering began with a strategy session. Advisor Mujibur Rahman Howlader of DHORA chaired a discussion with Md Shamsuddoha from CPRD, Malo Tabuis Nuera from APMDD, and Mohammad Zahirul Haque, Vice Chancellor of Metropolitan University, among others.
A press conference was held this afternoon after the gathering. Sharif Jamil, member secretary of the organizing committee, highlighted the issues discussed at the rally. He stated that development projects are significantly hurting people in coastal areas vulnerable to climate change.
People in coastal areas are losing their livelihoods. Crops like salt, watermelon, and betel are also disappearing. In this situation, the government is working to expand fossil fuels where they are supposed to be. The burden of climate-related debt is also constantly increasing.
The proposals or demands that have come out of the climate justice rally were also highlighted at the press conference. Adaptation plans should be created locally through public participation.
It’s essential to evaluate how climate change and development affect women, ethnic minorities, and marginalized groups. Development projects must protect the environment and uphold social, gender, and ethnic minority rights.
Renovation and reinforcement of the dam. The rally also called for an end to dam-based urbanization.
There was also a call for full disclosure of dams and gas-based power plants. The need to support farmers and fishermen and provide alternative livelihoods was discussed.
The rally called for a clear roadmap to abandon all coal-fired power plants and move towards renewable energy sources. There was a call for an immediate halt to pollution of water, air, and soil along the country’s coast and other areas.
