The Importance of Climate Action

By Minhazul Abedin Jisan

Climate change is not some distant threat or problem for future generations. It is a reality we are living right now — especially here in Bangladesh. As a 13-year-old student, I may not know all the scientific terms, but I can feel the change in the air, in the seasons, and in the suffering around me.

When I was younger, I used to think climate change was just about polar bears losing ice. But as I grew up, I realized that it is much closer — in the rising water that floods villages, in the unbearable summer heat that closes our schools, and in the fear that one day, even our homes may disappear.

Every year, floods and cyclones displace thousands of people in our country. Many of them are children — just like me. Children who lose their schools, their safety, and sometimes even their families. Yet, we rarely hear their voices. That’s why I’ve started using mine.

As a child coordinator in UCAN and Talk Hope, I speak not just for myself, but for every young person who dreams of a future where the sky is blue, the rivers are clean, and the air is safe to breathe. Climate action is not just about saving the earth — it’s about saving us. It's about justice.

I believe climate action is not only a responsibility, it’s a necessity. And it doesn’t belong to scientists alone. It belongs to us all — especially the youth. Because the truth is: we are the ones who will live longest with the decisions made today.

That’s why I organize school-based awareness sessions. I talk to my classmates about how small steps — like reducing plastic, conserving water, planting trees — can build big habits. We host discussions, draw posters, and hold cleanup drives in schoolyards. Some people say, “What difference does that make?” But I believe even a small drop can start a wave.

Climate education is not just important — it's urgent. I think it should be a part of our school syllabus, just like math or science. Because how can we protect a planet we don’t understand? We need to learn not only about carbon emissions and rising temperatures, but about climate justice, sustainability, and how the crisis affects different communities differently.

Sometimes, I ask myself — why should a child have to worry about this? Shouldn’t we be playing, dreaming, studying in peace?

But when I see plastic burning in fields, rivers choked with bottles, and fish disappearing from ponds, I realize that silence is not an option. My generation may be young, but we are not powerless.

We have the voice. We have the will. We just need to be heard.

I’ve learned that climate action doesn’t always mean global summits or government policies. It can mean switching off fans when not needed. Choosing reusable bottles. Walking instead of using cars when possible. Even talking about it — that’s action.

And as youth, we need support — not sympathy. We need platforms, not pats on the head. Adults must stop saying, “You’re too young,” and start asking, “How can we help you lead?”

Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Yet, we also have some of the most climate-conscious children. I’ve seen it in villages where kids plant trees after school. I’ve seen it in city workshops where teens share ideas for eco-projects. The desire to act is already there — we just need more opportunity and guidance.

As a future leader, I dream of a country where our urban planning respects nature, where school rooftops have gardens, and where every community protects their environment like they protect their homes.

I want to see more children involved in local climate committees. I want to see policymakers listening to schoolchildren before building coal plants. And I want to see a world where acting for the planet is considered cool — not boring.

So no, I’m not just a student.
I’m a witness to what’s happening.
I’m a learner of solutions.
And I’m a speaker for those still too afraid to speak.

I may not wear a suit or sit in a government seat — but I stand for something.
And that makes me a changemaker in progress.

Final Thought:

Climate change is real. It’s happening. But so is youth power.
And if we act now, together, we can still write a better story for our future.