When someone utters the word climate, it represents the conscience of the Earth. Thanks to the growing wrath of climate change, there still are some individuals trying to provide some sense of security to the planet, including the annual gathering of the COP.
Now not everyone can just click and sign up, or register online to attend COP. Participants are usually nominated by accredited organizations with a climate scope. Establishing a strong presence makes it possible to attract the interest of such organizations which brings us to sharing the tale of a young climate activist from Bangladesh who found himself at this year’s COP-29 in Azerbaijan.
That activist is Raisul Millat Safkat, who now serves as a Senior Research Officer for SHISUK, the first organization in Bangladesh to implement climate-resilient aquaculture in flood-prone areas of the country.
Raisul who completed his undergrad in Economics from the University of Dhaka, began his journey for climate action from grade seven or eight when he first engaged in a competition regarding climate. While it seemed intimidating at first, it also piqued his interest and taught him relevant details about the reality of how the climate world works and that is where he found his footing.
He started working at a Japanese organization after finishing his HSC; conducting fieldwork on human rights and climate change as well. As with his case, volunteering with organizations focused on environmental or human rights gives young activists practical experience, networks and a greater sense of commitment.
Then, Raisul took the global youth leadership conference (GYLC) and as a great leader he trained himself with new perspectives and built networks with international level climate advocates which helped him further to expand his network. And that experience equipped him to lead in the climate space. If someone is trying to find their footing on how to begin a larger impact, he insists programs such as GYLC or any youth-leadership based program can help.
Raisul is one of the grant awardees for the Global Youth Climate Summit (GYCS) 2022, he became a Youth Climate Champion there. The money was funded to initiate the climate movement in Daudkandi engaging rural youth in Bangladesh. This push showed he was serious about practical, local change -- an essential component of establishing a climate profile that gets noticed by the global community.
Raisul, who followed the same path took his burning dedication all the way to a climate and leadership summit in Tanzania and Japan, where he came across other changemakers from around the world.
And the efforts needed to make a mark in climate action
For COP, staying engaged in global youth networks -- for example through the International School on Climate Mobility (ISCM) -- can lead to nominations from other bodies: This enabled Raisul's nomination by the International Youth Council of Yemen for COP-29. Considering his climate work has been ongoing and consistent over a long period of time, with his role at SHISUK in Bangladesh working on climate-resilient aquaculture, his profile was an ideal match for that COP post. According to Raisul, you should have a proven ability to engage in climate action initiatives, projects or research for years; this is important to establish your profile as an aspiring climate activist.
The journey of Raisul Millat Safkat to COP-29 shows his dedication and passion towards climate. Raisul’s path, from school competitions to movement-making and representing Bangladesh globally, is testament to the power of perseverance, dedication and incremental change. He started small, doing what he can and eventually grew his way into not only understanding but also involving himself in climate programs that were specifically designed for the youth filling out a profile as someone credible and worth listening to by making an impact with every voice raised.
In his role as youth advocate, he has taken the voices of Bangladeshi youth advocates to the international stage on climate resilience. Furthermore, last year's NAP UNFCCC conference took place in Dhaka and after trying several times with the government of Bangladesh, Raisul got a chance to participate, thereby establishing the fact that networking with the government is also very valuable. We often try to ignore bureaucracy but for such events we sometimes do need to become more familiar with it.
His work with communities hardest hit by climate change gives him a true voice for climate policy, particularly on agriculture and adaptation. His nomination to COP-29 shows the progress he has accomplished, and is a time which holds profound possibilities for addressing South Asian youth views on the world stage.
While the journey to COP may seem long for those who want to follow in Raisul's footsteps, his story is indeed an indication that it’s possible. Start local, develop leadership capabilities, build a profile on climate action, link to global networks and such opportunities will become available, if you are ready to be the change.
The remarkable journey of Raisul Millat Safkat proves that any enthusiastic youth can start from scratch and be a catalyst for change at the greatest climate conference in the world and make an impact.
Arita Haque is a student at Oxford International School, Dhaka.
