Youth demands end to fossil finance

Demanding an end to fossil finance, youngsters on Friday said ending this is a matter of global leaders’ will and is not a question of financial or technical capacity.

There are enough funds to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) if public investment banks and private sector organisations redirect the investments made in fossil fuel to sustainable projects and renewable energy, they said at the global climate strike in front of the National Press Club in the capital.

Hundreds of young people from the Activista Bangladesh platform of ActionAid Bangladesh and more than 24 youth organisations attended the strike.

Young Activista volunteers from 26 districts and their seven local hubs also protested in solidarity with the strikers by participating in local demonstrations in Satkhira, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Kurigram, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Barguna, and many other places.

The activists, along with people from all walks of life, demanded climate justice through slogans, placards, and posters. The strikers said fossil financers from the Global North are responsible for the climate crisis, neo-colonial exploitations, wars, and human rights violations.

With the capitalistic mindset of making profits, the historically largest emitters of greenhouse gasses are fuelling the destruction of the planet by funding fossil fuel extraction, which is largely impacting the climate-vulnerable countries in the South, they added.

SM Jannatul Naeem of Activista said, “We are fighting for our present situation and the future of the next generations. We believe the sooner we act, the more secure our future will be.”