By Faatiha Aayat, SDG socializer, UNDP Bangladesh

There is a beautiful quote from Barack Obama where he says, “We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” 

The effects of climate change have been scarring the face of our planet for decades. Millions of people lose their homes and families each year due to the devastating impacts of global warming. Millions more are stripped of their basic human rights and are forced to live lives without safe water, air, or food.

Although world leaders make many promises to help humanity amidst this crisis, these assurances do not help us. We cannot wait for these promises to be implemented while change is marking its presence day by day, minute by minute and second by second.

So, what exactly can we do? How can we ensure that we effectively mitigate and combat climate change? As citizens of the world, many people hold the belief we cannot bring the change ourselves. “I am only one person. What change can I make?” says eight billion people.

However, once again, the youth have proven us wrong. They are making the change themselves instead of waiting with unlimited patience for governments and corporations to make these changes. 

A prominent example of that would be the students of the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka (AKA Dhaka). 

Without further waiting, the students of the AKAD have taken initiatives themselves. Through fostering leadership, inspiring action and motivating change, the Academy has changed the mindset of these students. Just like Steve Jobs said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”