Prioritise children in climate change projects: experts
Children should get the highest priority in climate change projects as they are the worst victims of the adverse climatic impacts, experts said at a discussion yesterday.
They also urged people across the globe to ensure their individual responsibilities in minimising climate change as it is one of the biggest global concerns now.
Non-government organisations Save the Children and Community Participation and Development, and Brac University jointly organised the discussion titled “Climate Financing and Children” in Dhaka’s Brac Centre.
Forty children from different schools in the capital took part in the discussion where they demanded that the government take their opinions while making decisions regarding climate issues and initiate specialised schemes for them.
“The impact of climate change is the highest for children -- the 30 percent of the world’s population,” said Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, director (environment and climate change) of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation.
About six million of them are the most vulnerable, who live near river erosion areas and coastal belts like Bangladesh, he added, referring to recent UN data.
Noted climate and water resources expert and Professor Emeritus of Brac University Ainun Nishat said the students, with their knowledge and enthusiasm, can help the government -- particularly local authorities -- in reducing climate risks and creating awareness.
He urged the children to understand the topic properly and avoid wrong information.
Speaking as the chief guest, Nurul Quadir, additional secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, assured that they would consider the demands as the government is committed to protect its people from climate risks.
Noted singer Tahsan Rahman Khan, UNDP Climate Change Specialist AKM Mamunur Rashid and Save the Children Director (Humanitarian) Mostak Hussain also spoke at the event.
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