(The Daily Star) -- Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said that the world need to mobilise intellectual, financial and youth power to lay the foundation for a new civilisation.
He made the remarks during a speech at the COP29 in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, today.
The events at the COP29 between November 12 and 13 are titled the World Leaders Action Summit, where over 90 heads of state are set to deliver speeches.
Addressing world leaders, Yunus started his speech offering to present the climate catastrophe in a different perspective.
"This perspective will take us from fixing climate destruction to stopping further carnage. It is a big task and raises big questions. I seek your indulgence to share with you my longstanding dream of creating a new world of three zeroes," he said.
The chief adviser highlighted the fact that the climate crisis is intensifying.
"Our civilisation is at grave risk as we continue to promote self-destructive values. We need to mobilise our intellectual, financial and youth power to lay the foundation for a new civilisation — a self-preserving and self-reinforcing civilisation. We, the human inhabitants of this planet are the cause of the destruction of the planet. We are doing it deliberately. We have chosen a lifestyle which works against the environment. We justify this with an economic framework which is considered as natural as the planetary system. That economic framework thrives on limitless consumption. The more you consume, the more you grow. The more you grow, the more money you make. Maximisation of profit is treated as the force of gravity which lets everything in the system to play its role according to our desire," he said.
Prof Yunus said that in order to survive, we need to create another culture. He proposed a counter-culture which is based on a different life-style.
"It is based on zero waste. It will limit consumption to essential needs, leaving no residual waste. This life-style will also be based on zero carbon. No fossil fuel. Only renewables. This will be an economy based primarily on zero personal profit, i.e. on social business. This business is defined as a non-dividend business addressed to solve social and environmental problems. A vast part of social businesses will focus on protecting the environment and mankind. Human lives will not only be protected but qualitatively enhanced through affordable healthcare and education. It will facilitate entrepreneurship for the youth. Young people will get prepared through new education of entrepreneurship. Education of creating job seekers will be replaced by entrepreneurship-focused education," he said.
According to the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner, the safety of environment needs a new life-style. That life-style would not be imposed, it will be a choice, he said.
"Young people love that life style as a choice. Each young person will grow up as a three zero person — zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, through building social businesses only, and zero unemployment by turning themselves into entrepreneurs. Each person will grow up as a three zero person, and remain a three zero person all his/her life. That will create the new civilisation," he proposed.
Prof Yunus expressed confidence in the fact that it can be done.
"All we need do is to accept a new life-style consistent with the safety of the planet and all who live on it. Today's generation of youth will do the rest. They love their planet," he said.
He ended his speech saying, "I hope you'll join me in this dream. If we dream together, it will happen."
The Chief Adviser arrived in Baku on Monday evening to attend the UN's biggest climate conference, COP29, which is seen as a "pivotal opportunity" to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis.
Prof Yunus is leading a small delegation and will return home on November 14, a senior official at the CA's office told UNB.
