Cross section of experts at a programme on Monday underscored the need for engaging children in the combat for climate justice to create a sustainable and resilient future.
They made the call at the event titled, “Climate Crisis and its Impact Children" organised by ActionAid Bangladesh at an auditorium of Bangladesh Mahila Samity in Dhaka on Monday.
ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir said, “Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with Bangladesh being one of the most vulnerable nations.”
“Approximately one in three children in Bangladesh, nearly 20 million children, are affected by extreme weather events, floods, river erosion, sea-level rise, and other environmental crises linked to climate change. We believe that engaging children in the fight for climate justice is vital to creating a sustainable and resilient future,” she added.
She shared that ActionAid Bangladesh intends to empower children to take a stand against climate change and its devastating impact on Bangladesh and the world.
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Dhaka Anisur Rahman said, “We want our children to live in a sustainable and livable environment. Making this possible is the responsibility of the government and our citizens.”
"Our world is facing an unprecedented climate crisis. The responsibility to address it falls on all of us. However, it is the children who will inherit the consequences of our actions or inaction. Therefore, their engagement is not just important; it is absolutely essential."
Children's representative Sidratul Muntaha Prami said, "Due to climate change, children are being deprived of their rights. As a result, their mental and physical development is not going well. Children are not responsible for climate change but are suffering the consequences of this change and are affected directly or indirectly.”
A survey finding with responses from 300 children from eight districts was unveiled at the event to present how climate change affects them. The survey was conducted by ActionAid Bangladesh in Satkhira, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Sunamganj, Patuakhai, Kurigram, Bandarban, and Chattogram.
According to the survey, due to climate change, the education of 123 children was hampered. Sixty children said they experience salinity in the water in their locality, while 58 respondents said climate change hampers cultivation activities while 53 children stated they were impacted in many ways by calamities in the last three years. Four children said they faced health issues like allergies and respiratory problems and two said their families lost their house due to a climate-induced disaster.
A memorandum was handed over to Anisur Rahman, by the children of ‘Child Space’, an initiative of ActionAid Bangladesh to support underprivileged children which highlighted the repercussions of climate change on children and measures needed to tackle it.
