SANEM started an event for students from April 2019, called “Youthonomics”, with the belief in mind that engaging the youth in an intellectual and academic discussion is essential for developing a more informed and rational society. It is a monthly essay writing competition for the youth, that reflects their economic thoughts. Through Youthonomics, SANEM encourages young writers to voice their views and opinions on socio-economic issues. SANEM awards prize money and certificates to the winners of each episode of Youthonomics.

The 3rd episode of Youthonomics was held in June 2019. The topic of Youthonomics 3 was “Climate Change and Sustainable Development”. In their articles, participants presented their assessment of the emerging problem of climate change along with proposals on the feasible ways to ensure the sustainable development through the lens of climate change. According to the 2018 IPCC report of the United Nations, there is only twelve years left to take the necessary steps to keep the rise of global warming within 1.5 degree Celsius. If global warming rises above 1.5 degrees, the incidence of floods, droughts, tidal surges, cyclones, etc. will increase manifold and billions of people will be affected. If countries do not fully meet the targets set in the Paris Climate Agreement, it will not be possible to limit the rise of global warming within 1.5 degrees. To that end, countries need to increase use of sustainable technology by reducing their dependence on non-renewable energy over the next twelve years. We are now living in the “Anthropocene” period of Earth’s history which can also be called “The Age of Humans”. Human activities are altering the ecosystem at a global scale. SDG 13, Climate Change is one of the most challenging of all the SDGs, as it poses threat to other goals of Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Human Health (SDG 3) etc. Instead of fully depending on governments, we need to come forward to save the Earth just as Studsgard in Denmark, the “Climate Village”, which reduced CO2 emission by 25% within 3 years just by their own actions. Effective policies by governments around the world are needed to achieve deep, long-term reduction in greenhouse gas emission and to help strengthen climate resilience across the planet.

The winners of episode 3 were:

• 1st place: Israt Zahan Islam, Bangladesh University of Professionals and Rakib Hossain, University of Dhaka
• 2nd place: Imran, University of Dhaka
• 3rd place: Sayed Imran Ur Rahman, South East University

Prizes were distributed among the winners on June 22, 2019 at SANEM office.