Thousands of youth activists in Dhaka join Global Climate Strike 2025, demanding renewable energy investment and climate justice.
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| Global Climate Strike 2025 sees massive youth participation in Dhaka, with activists demanding an end to fossil fuel funding and a shift to renewable energy. |
DHAKA, Bangladesh – April 11, 2025:
Thousands of young climate activists from across Bangladesh, including members of Volunteers for the Environment International (VFE) and ActionAid Bangladesh's youth platform Activista Bangladesh, converged on Manik Mia Avenue in front of the Parliament Building in Dhaka, joining the Global Climate Strike 2025. The rally, involving over 3,000 participants from 33 youth organizations across 18 districts, demanded immediate action against climate change, specifically calling for increased investment in renewable energy and a cessation of fossil fuel funding.
The activists’ demands centered on halting the financing of fossil fuels, expanding renewable energy infrastructure, and investing in sustainable agricultural practices. They also voiced strong opposition to the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Sheikh Shahrukh Farhan, executive coordinator of the young climate activist and Volunteers for the Environment, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the urgency of their demands. “If we don’t speak out against climate change now, one day its dire consequences could wipe out the very existence of humanity. So the time to act is now – now is the time, or never.”
Farhan further criticized developed nations for their role in the climate crisis, stating, “Developed countries are creating a climate crisis by financing fossil fuels. They are destroying this world through neo-colonial exploitation, war and human rights violations. The highest greenhouse gas emitters with a capitalist mentality are leading the world to destruction by financing fossil fuels. Where profits are more important than people. This is severely destroying the ecosystem and climate on earth. As a result, it is having an adverse impact on the youth, farmers, women and marginalized communities of the countries of the South. It is multiplying their environmental debt to the most affected communities in the underdeveloped countries. In this situation, the Global Climate Strike has called for investments in sustainable projects and renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.”
Mahzabin Tishi, Samin Rahman, and Rubel Miah also addressed the rally, reinforcing the activists' demands.
The demonstration was marked by powerful slogans, creative placards, artwork, songs, and theatrical performances, all conveying the activists’ urgent call for climate justice. Placards and festoons bore messages such as “Don’t Sell Our Future,” “Fix the Finance,” “Increase Investment in Renewable Energy,” “Stop Investing in Harmful Agricultural Practices,” “Climate Justice Now,” and “Invest in Climate Resilient Sustainable Agricultural Practices.” The event concluded with a strong message to global leaders to prioritize sustainable solutions and end the funding of fossil fuels.