Stop investing in fossil fuel: ISDE calls on world leaders
Protesters called for ensuring renewable energy, sustainable development and to reduce carbon emissions to zero in Bangladesh by 2050
ISDE-Bangladesh, a non-profit social development organization, has called on world leaders attending the upcoming UN Climate Conference, to stop investing in fossil fuels.
It further urged them to compensate the countries at risk as promised and to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt and the Coastal Livelihoods and Environmental Action Alliance jointly organised a program on Thursday where a number of youths wore rope around their necks as part of their protest symbolising the eventual consequence of climate change.
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SM Nazer Hossain, executive director of ISDE-Bangladesh and vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) said, "According to a UN report, the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere has already exceeded the earth's tolerance. That is why the rate of climate change has increased at a faster rate than ever before."
He also said, "About five lakh people are becoming refugees in Bangladesh every year due to adverse effects of climate. Apart from this, the common people are the helpless victims of cyclones, floods and tidal surges."
Hassan Mehedi, chief executive of Clean said, "The IPCC- an international organisation on climate change, had warned that the last chance to prevent a climate disaster was fast running out. If we do not take steps to reduce carbon emissions now, we won't be able to save human civilisation."
Protesters at the event called for an immediate end to the investment in fossil fuels, including coal. They also asked for $100 billion compensation annually as promised by the developed countries, to ensure renewable energy, sustainable development and to reduce carbon emissions to zero in Bangladseh by 2050.
Mohammad Jane Alam, joint secretary of the district social entrepreneurship council; Nabi Ul Haq of the social services department, Chowdhury Jasimul Haque, chief executive of Generation Chittagong; Umme Rumana Rumi, program officer of ISDE; Rahima Begum; and others attended the event.
