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Today (April 8), youth and climate activists from across Bangladesh gathered at the historic Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to strongly protest the upcoming visit of Steven Kobos, President and CEO of Excelerate Energy. Organized jointly by Youth for Care, The Earth Society, the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), and the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), participants of the event strongly declared- “Go Back Excelerate Energy! – No More LNG Deals in Bangladesh.”
As Excelerate Energy plans to expand its LNG (liquefied natural gas) operations in Bangladesh, youth leaders and environmental advocates called attention to the environmental, economic, and sovereignty risks of such fossil fuel-based energy projects.
Speakers warned that the long-term LNG supply deals and infrastructure developments—such as the proposed floating terminals, subsea pipelines, and onshore transmission—would increase dependency on imported, carbon-intensive fuels while undermining the nation’s economy and transition to clean, renewable energy.
Participants included, Azizun Nahar Toma from Lal Shobuj Society, Ali Ahsan Rony from Mission Green Bangladesh, Omar Faruk Joy from We Can Cox’s Bazar, Fahim Tajnohad from YouthNet Global, Sadia Afroze from Youth Ending Hunger, Tamjid Zisan from Sohardyo Youth Foundation also led the campaign.
Students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University, BUP, Dhaka Polytechnic, Gono Bishwabidyalay, Tejgaon College, and City College joined in solidarity. The event also saw the presence of environmental experts, teachers, journalists, and civil society representatives.
In a passionate address, environmental activist Omar Faruk Joy stated:
“We refuse to let Bangladesh become a dumping ground for expensive and destructive fossil fuel projects. Our youth want solar panels, not gas pipelines. The future is renewable, and it starts now.”
Protesters raised placards demanding the cancellation of all new LNG agreements, a halt to subsea and long-distance pipelines, and a redirection of investments toward decentralized, community-based renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
This mobilization is part of a growing nationwide movement urging the government to reject false climate solutions like LNG and commit to a just, sustainable energy transition for all.
