Environmental activists, youth leaders and civil society representatives gathered at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday for the Global Climate Strike, demanding a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and a transition to renewable energy.
The program, part of the global “Fridays For Future” campaign launched in 2018 by climate activist Greta Thunberg, called attention to what speakers described as an escalating climate emergency.
Speakers said climate change has become both an environmental and socio-economic crisis, with Bangladesh among the most vulnerable countries despite contributing minimally to global emissions.
Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Dharitri Rokkhay Amra (DHORA), said Bangladesh’s reliance on imported fossil fuels exposes the country to energy insecurity. He urged withdrawal of taxes on solar equipment and repurposing land allocated for coal-based power projects for renewable energy use.
He said such measures could help achieve the country’s target of generating 10 gigawatts of electricity from renewable sources.
Mir Mohammad Ali, assistant professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, warned that coal-fired power plants are damaging agricultural land, polluting rivers and threatening coastal livelihoods, including fisheries.
Saidur Rahman Siam, Bangladesh coordinator of “Fridays For Future”, said global energy market instability highlights the risks of overdependence on fossil fuel imports, adding that a “just and rapid transition” to renewable energy is the only sustainable solution.
Youth representatives from Volunteer for Environment–Youth for Climate Justice cautioned that failure to act would intensify future climate risks for younger generations.
Participants said Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods, sea-level rise and salinity intrusion, and stressed that climate justice, including climate finance and loss-and-damage support, must be prioritized in global negotiations.
The event brought together several environmental and youth organizations, who jointly called for an end to fossil fuel expansion, increased investment in renewable energy, and stronger environmental policy implementation.
