Youths need to work from front to recycle waste: Experts

Environmentalists said young people need to work from the front to reduce environmental pollution by recycling plastic, polythene and other perishable wastes used by people.

"We need to think about the consequences before polluting the environment, and I believe that young people can play a key role in raising public awareness and getting people used to it," said Brac's Climate Change Programme Director Dr Md Liakath Ali in the keynote speech at the webinar titled "Role of Youth in Restoring Ecology," organised on the occasion of World Environment Day on Sunday.

"Everyone, including young people, has to work to protect the ecosystem. We will not have any light other than the LED ones in any of our installations by 2022. We have stopped using plastic one-time water bottle in our office. We need to protect our ecosystems.," he said.

Dr Md Liakath Ali said, "Every year we lose ecosystem in an area equal to the area of South Korea. The global situation is deteriorating day by day. Rising carbon levels are putting a lot of pressure on the ecosystem and climate change,"

Brac's Climate Change Programme Director further said, "We need to be aware of luxury. Day by day humans are making new arrangements made for their enjoyment, but many of us are indifferent to issue of protecting the environment. We need to be as conscious about our diet as possible. We have to think about how much we are taking from nature."

At the event, Dr Saleemul Huq, director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development, said, "As a conscious citizen, young people should have an idea about their main responsibilities. Young people need to take initiative about recycle waste. Everyone has a responsibility to protect the environment as a citizen."

Mirza Shawkat Ali, director of the Department of Environment, said, "It is possible to restore the ecosystem with small works if the youth want."

"We have submitted at least 11 environmental projects in different parts of the country including haors, coastal areas, the Sundarbans, and the Saint Martin Island have been to the Economic Relations Division. Hopefully we will get approval for four to five projects. Most of these projects are environment-centred," he added.

Students from various universities and young staff from development agencies exchanged views with expert environmentalists at the webinar organised by Brac's Climate Change Programme.