Demand Climate justice to ensure a safe future

Thousands of young climate activists across the country joined the Global Climate Strike movement, calling for an end to fossil fuel financing, expansion of renewable energy, and increased investment in sustainable agriculture to ensure climate security and energy justice. This powerful call was made at a mass rally organised today (Friday, 11 April) on Manik Mia Avenue in front of the National Parliament, supported by Activista Bangladesh, the youth platform of ActionAid Bangladesh.

From this global climate strike, young people demanded that world leaders immediately stop financing harmful and costly fossil fuel projects to ensure a sustainable future. At the same time, they raised their voices in protest against the ongoing inhumane war in Palestine and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Following the rally on Manik Mia Avenue, a vibrant protest march began at Khamarbari, passed the Aarong intersection, and returned to the starting point via the National Parliament. Over a thousand climate activists joined the rally, chanting powerful slogans and calling for climate justice. The event concluded with a collective call for urgent climate action and global solidarity.

At the rally, climate activists expressed concern that developed nations are fuelling the climate crisis by investing in fossil fuels. They condemned the destruction caused by neo-colonial exploitation, wars, and violations of human rights. With a capitalist mindset that prioritises profit over people, the highest emitters of greenhouse gases continue to push the planet towards destruction. This severely impacts ecosystems and the climate, particularly affecting youth, farmers, women, and marginalised communities in the Global South. The environmental debt owed to the most affected communities in underdeveloped countries continues to increase exponentially.

In this context, the Global Climate Strike urges immediate divestment from fossil fuels and increased investment in sustainable, renewable energy solutions.

Around 3,000 young people from Activista Bangladesh Platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and more than 33 youth organisations from 18 districts in solidarity with Fridays for Future (FFF) attended the Global Climate Strike this time. Apart from that, activists from a few localised youth hubs and local rights programs (LRP) also protested in solidarity with the climate activists across the country by participating in local demonstrations in Satkhira, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Kurigram, Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Kushtia, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Teknaf, Bandarban, Barguna, Narayanganj and many other places.

Young climate activist Sadia Akter said, "If we do not raise our voices against climate change now, the devastating impacts may one day erase the existence of humankind. So, the time to act is now—it's now or never."

"The global climate strike is not just about the environment — it's our collective fight for justice, equality, and a sustainable planet. We're screaming, 'Don't sell our futures!' The climate crisis is a pandemic now! Millions of people are displaced every day, endangered species are extinct, and nature is destroyed. We are not just protesting today, we are demanding urgent action. Governments and corporate leaders must urgently end subsidies and investments in fossil fuels and focus on renewable energy. Because if we don't save the world now, it will be too late for us tomorrow",  Rokon Ahmed, another activist from Dhaka, reinforced the significance of the climate justice movement in his statement.   

Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Lead - Youth and Just Society, ActionAid Bangladesh, remarked, "This time, young people have raised their voices to hold national and global decision-makers accountable to take climate action and make necessary investments for just transition. From ActionAid   Bangladesh, we express our strong solidarity with their demand and join our voices in a resounding call to dismantle fossil finance and prioritise sustainable investments in renewable energy and agroecology. We demand that the global north become responsible and accept responsibility for achieving climate justice and transferring technology and resources to foster the green transition.