The participation of young people in climate discussions with global efforts is a must as climate change adversely impacts life, livelihood, health and other socio-economic aspects.
Speakers made the observation during a webinar styled 'Climate Justice: Capturing Youth Voice from Global South in the Context of Pandemic' hosted by ActionAid Bangladesh on Thursday night.
Young people from Bangladesh and other countries from Asian, Central Asia, Africa and Europe attended the virtual event.
Youth climate champions and activists from various nations raised their voice against limited or no space at global decision-making forums, including COP26.
Rebecca Sultana, the founder of Youth Environment and Social Development Society and member of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society general assembly, inaugurated the event as a chair.
Citing climate change as man-made, parliamentarian Nahim Razzaq says climate change is a great problem of today and required changes need to be made by all.
He pleaded with the governments to follow the Paris pact to ensure a decent ecosystem for the betterment of the world.
Mr Razzaq, who sits on the parliamentary standing committee on foreign ministry as a member, seeks to see some change five years after the accord.
Dr Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh, emphasised action rather than advocacy related to climate issues.
In a video message, ActionAid Bangladesh country director Farah Kabir says young people worldwide want to take COP26 as an opportunity to raise their issues to the global leadership.
But the youth are worried that COP26 is not going to be participatory because of the vaccination issue, she adds.
Climate activist Saila Sobnom Richi from Youth Net for Climate Justice Bangladesh presented her experience on the vulnerability of young people amid Covid-19 pandemic with respect to climate change.
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