They discussed their own actions and talked to the policymakers about the bad impacts of climate change to ensure a safer and healthier future.
Speakers including government representatives, relevant stakeholders and the children gave their opinions at a National dialogue on ‘Climate Financing and Children’ organised jointly by Save the Children in Bangladesh, Community Participation and Development and BRAC C3ER at BRAC INN Center in city's Mohakhali.
Because of climate change, 1.2 million children are the most vulnerable because they live near river erosion areas or in these according to a UNICEF report while another 4.5 million children living in coastal areas are threatened by constant cyclone attacks. About 3 million children who live in the middle of the country often suffer from various diseases caused by rapid change in global climate.
Dr Nurul Quadir, Additional Secretary (Climate Change), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change corporation in his speech as chief guest pledged that the government will do its part and take no action which might accelerate climate change.
“Climate Financing is a very difficult topic for children to understand. But they are talking about their problems, that’s also big! You are to dream and we are to fulfill those. But it is not possible for the government alone but they must take the lead. We will not do such things that climate change gets accelerated," he said.
"If all of us become more sincere we can take effective actions to tackle climate change," he added.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Cliamte Change Convention, the impact of climate change will be the highest for children, which is about 30% of the world’s current population although no allocation for children was present on Green Climate Fund (GCF); formed for the distressed countries.
BRAC University Professor Dr Ainun Nishat also the Advisor of C3ER addressed the children and urged them to determine ways from their position for combating climate change.
"Decide first about your duty towards nature and how can you tackle climate change from your position, then proceed," he said.
He also mentioned that the school authorities across Bangladesh must work to deal natural disasters caused by climate change in their respective areas.
"Children can pressurize the government also...there are many things that government has to do for children. You (children) can also help in actions taken by the government in many ways," he added.
Singer and Actor Tahsan Rahman Khan was the guest of honour at the event while A.K.M Mamunur Rashid, Climate Change Specialist, UNDP, S.M. Mahedi Ahsan, Senior Urban Resilience Specialist, KFW, Ahsan Rony, President, Green Savers and Md. Mostak Hussain, Humanitarian Director, Save the Children in Bangladesh were also present. A keynote paper on Climate Financing for Children was presented by Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed, Director (Environment & Climate Change), PKSF.