By S.M. Osman Goni, Satkhira
In the face of increasing climate disasters, youth in the coastal region of Satkhira, Bangladesh, organized a climate strike demanding justice and fair access to international climate funds.
On Friday, April 11, at 9 AM, young people from Padmapukur Union in Shyamnagar Upazila gathered in a vibrant rally as part of the global climate strike movement. With colorful placards and festoons in hand, they chanted powerful slogans such as: “Coastal life is a gift of nature – climate justice is our right,” “Ensure climate justice – protect the green world,” “We want justice – climate justice,” “Reduce carbon emissions – save our future,” and “We demand proper use of climate funds.”
The strike was organized by the Sundarban Student Solidarity Team (SSST), with participation from the Shyamnagar Upazila Youth Volunteer Coordination Committee, Green Qualition, local communities, and development organization BARCIK.
Presided over by Dhiraj Kumar Mondal, President of the SSST Padmapukur Unit, the rally highlighted the worsening climate impacts on the Satkhira coast—cyclones, floods, and rising salinity have severely disrupted lives and livelihoods. Speakers emphasized that the industrialized nations most responsible for global emissions must offer adequate and unconditional financial support to vulnerable nations like Bangladesh. They also called for transparency and accountability in the distribution and use of climate funds.
S.M. Osman Gani Sohag, environmental activist and youth climate leader, declared: “Climate funds must be disbursed quickly and without conditions to frontline countries. We reject any notion of climate debt. Until wealthy nations give up their carbon-intensive lifestyles, we will continue to fight. We want justice. We want climate justice. We want to save this planet.”
The strike drew strong support from local residents, many of whom voiced solidarity with the youth’s demands and called for immediate action to confront the escalating climate crisis.
Among the attendees were Uttam Kumar Mondal, Padmapukur UP member and Green Qualition activist; Md. Saidul Islam, SSST member secretary; Biswajit Mondal, BARCIK program officer; Maruf Hossain Milon, youth climate warrior; Barsha Gain, development activist; and Obaidullah Al Mamun, convener of the Coastal Youth Green Movement.
This climate strike marks a significant moment for youth in the Satkhira coast—an urgent call for justice, accountability, and real action. It sends a strong message to policymakers: the time to act is now.