“Throughout our ages, we are struggling for a better life, and again we are asked to compensate for climate change! This is not fair, this is not justice,” Susmita Mondol (25), a resident of Mongla upazila -- one of the climate hotspots of Bagerhat district.
Susmita has witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change since she was a young child, particularly the water crisis that affected her entire community. Floods driven by cyclones are significantly increasing salinity intrusion. She turned to climate activism full-time to combat this. According to her, the problem of drinking water scarcity must be viewed as a component of the greater ecosystem rather than as an isolated issue.
“I have been working hard to raise my voice even since I was ten years old, in the hopes of capturing a decision-maker's attention. Young people have to be included in crucial decision-making processes. Honestly, how do you expect me to cope with and live up to the standards that were made in my absence? The person who is most impacted by the changing climate is me. Even though I'm young, climate change has increased my workload and expectations as well”.
Each day millions of young people live to face the harsh realities of climate change. The impacts of this changing climate are now acute as well as visible compared to thirty years before. Climate justice focuses on the equal distribution of the burdens of climate change and the initiative to mitigate them.
The age range of 15 to 29 accounts for one-fourth of the nation's population. According to the census report of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the country's current youth population is around 45.9 million (4 crores 59 lakh). The current total population is 16.98 crore whereas 27.96% of them are in the youth group.
In particular, climate change is impacting the lives of children and young people everywhere. The global community must adhere to its pledge to keep warming to 1.5C. Without a doubt, where humanitarian action falls short of addressing the climate crisis, young people bear the brunt. They are not responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and other hazardous practices of human-induced climate change.
Another young climate advocate, Abu Syed Biplob (18), has been campaigning for climate justice in the same area. He said, “I have committed my voice to speaking for the voiceless and demanding prompt action, and this is the ideal moment to take action. Water is our basic right, but still we are deprived of it.”
Biplop demands for ensuring safe drinking water through rainwater harvesting systems and other technologies. He believes that the effects of climate change can be lessened by using alternative energy sources like wind and solar energy. He urges young people to get involved in more plantations and beat plastic pollution and air pollution. The young generation needs to take action to prevent the wastage of water and dispose of garbage at specific places.
As the impacts of climate change intensify with each passing year, more and more young people are joining the movement for positive change and climate justice. They not only raise awareness and inspire people to take action, but they also drive the conversation about climate change. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has already created an example for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation.
Due to its geographic location in the delta region, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impact of climate change. Our people suffer from floods, cyclones, droughts, salinity, and river erosion and the poorer people feel this more than others. It is a matter of great concern that these climatic impacts are threatening the lives and futures of more than 45.9 million youth in Bangladesh.
Empowering young people in local water and climate initiatives fosters new ideas and innovation to solve urgent problems. It intensifies the urgency of taking action on climate change while promoting community resilience, raising awareness, and correcting false information.
By and large, today’s young people can play a dynamic role in tackling climate change impacts. They can adopt some good practices in their homes, schools, colleges, and other organizations. For instance, closing the running tap water when not needed, planting more trees as much as they can, turning off lights, saving electricity, recycling and reusing plastic that can help reduce plastic pollution, to using a bicycle to travel as a pollution-free mode of transport to minimal fossil fuels. More specially, as a youth they can play an important role in creating environmental and climate awareness and advocacy. Thus, they can easily spread the message of climate change issues to everyone.
Overall, the nation's wealth is its youth population. Indeed, the role of youth is vital for the present and future world. They should come forward now to protect the climate which will achieve Sustainable Development Goal-13 Climate Action.
Dilshad Jahan is a Specialist in advocacy and Knowledge Development at the Climate Change Program at BRAC. Mahfuj-ur-Rahman is a Program Manager at the Climate Change Program at BRAC.
