Considering Bangladesh as one of the most vulnerable countries in terms of climate change and natural disasters, it is essential that youth, students, and the government work together to combat the crisis.
To achieve the green vision of the Father of the Nation, since 2018, Eco-Network has been trying to change the mindset of our new generation by ensuring climate literacy and increasing awareness about plastic pollution and air pollution, among many other environmental issues. Our initiative provides climate education to more than 50,000 students through online and offline campaigns, workshops, and summits. We are also working to protect biodiversity and want to plant 50,000 trees to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.
The journey started in 2018, when I felt the need to have a youth platform to help our government achieve our common goal of achieving environmental sustainability. Currently, Eco-Network has a team in 34 Bangladeshi universities, and our climate ambassadors are spreading climate literacy locally. Our major aims include involving youngsters in environmental and climate movements; conducting eco-friendly activities; and fostering an eco-friendly culture in society. Eco-Network also works in Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, and other Asian and African countries.
To be very specific, children and young people are the main stakeholders in our work. We mainly focus on school-going students and teenagers as we believe if we can make them aware of climate change, environmental pollution, etc from an early age, it will help to change their mindset. We have prepared a complete training module on climate literacy that helps them to get a basic knowledge of climate change, environmental pollution, and adaptation. We regularly organize capacity-building training, awareness campaigns, workshops, etc.
Besides, two of our current projects, “Mission Green Bangladesh” and "Climate School," have significant impacts on our society. Our research team is also working on air pollution, climate adaptation, and finding nature-based solutions to ensure sustainable development. In a broader perspective, students and young people are the main stakeholders of our actions, as we are concerned about changing a generation, and adolescence is the perfect time to build a mindset.
We started our organization with the vision of mobilizing climate literacy in our community. Within four years of the establishment of Eco-Network, we have reached more than 2 lakh people from rural and urban areas through online and offline campaigns. During the journey, we became champions of "Climathon 2019," nominated for the "Eco-Hero award" organized by Eco Generation (UNEP).
We also jointly worked with the Department of Environment (DoE), ActionAid Bangladesh, and Save the Children Bangladesh to ensure climate justice and environmental sustainability. Additionally, each year we host a "Global Climate Summit" at which a diverse range of national and international guests and participants collaborate to achieve transboundary solutions.
For us, our main success is our contribution towards making a green Bangladesh, which was the dream of the Father of the Nation. Besides, it's a pleasure to see that Eco-network is working in 23 countries in South Asia and Africa and leading globally. For our contribution to raising climate and environmental awareness in Global South countries, I have also received “Diana Award-2022" which is the highest honour a young person can receive for contributions to the development and humanitarian work, and is supported by both her sons, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Shamim Ahmed Mridha is the Chairman of Eco-Network Global, and his research interests include climate adaptation, resilience, nature-based solutions, and so on. He can be reached at [email protected]. He has completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies from the "Department of Environmental Science" Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).
