River blocking in Satkhira, Bangladesh, was held demanding river protection
On September 26, over fifty youths and locals participated in blocking the river in Shyamnagar, Satkhira.
Climate protection rally with slogans like “Right to survive, want climate justice,” “Invest in the future, not fossil fuels,” “End harmful agricultural practices,” “We want justice,” and “Climate justice now,” etc., was observed.
The “Banjeevi Youth Team” and “Upazila Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee,” with help from a private research institute, organized the program together. Shamim Hossain, President of Banjeevi Youth Team, presided over that program.
Shamim Hossain, also a member of the Upazila Youth Voluntary Coordination Committee, expressed concerns about harmful projects and advocates for a climate and energy secure Bangladesh in the Financial institutions and high-emission countries must stop funding fossil fuels and finance compensation for communities affected by the climate crisis.
He called on the government and investors to halt environmentally damaging projects and focus on sustainable initiatives instead of fossil fuels.
Bulbul Hriday, a local social worker, said fossil fuels contribute to global warming and significantly influence rapid climate change.
Global warming is worsening due to the constant use of fossil fuels in factories, power generation, and transportation.
In addition, the wealthy countries of the Western world are increasing investment in fossil fuels. Because of their capitalist attitude, the world is facing destruction today.
Shefali, a woman forester of Sabuj Solidarity, stated that climate change is causing various problems for those who work in the forest. Honey is less this year than last year.
Even when it’s not monsoon season, heavy rain during storms prevents us from fishing and crabbing because the forest department restricts access. We have to go down into the salt water and pull the net in the river.
Participants at the rally warned that if the government doesn’t act effectively on climate change now, the situation will worsen in the future.
Under the supervision SM Osman Gani Sohag, ayouth organizer of BARCIK, Shefali of Upazila Sabuj Saghati, Prakash Mandal, convener of SSST, and youth volunteers Abdur Rahman, Al-Mamun, Tawhid Hossain, Zulekha Akhtar, Tanya Parveen, Sharifa Khatun, Nashrin Akhtar etc., were also present at the event.
