Dear John,

In a world where climate stories are often dominated by despair, Muhammad Anowar’s story shines through as a ray of hope. Join me as I chat with Anowar, the environmental activist building a greener world, while planting seeds of resilience and hope for the future.

Madelene: Anowar, you’ve had a remarkable journey from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Can you tell us about your early life in Myanmar and how it shaped your passion for the environment?

Muhammad Anowar: I was born in Myanmar. As a child, I always loved nature. Even when there was violence around me, I remember feeling safe in the forests near my home. But when I was 12, my family had to flee to Bangladesh. The journey was hard, but I remember finding some peace close to nature. But, over time, as deforestation and pollution increased, I just got very sad.

Madelene: That must have been difficult. I’m curious if you remember a pivotal moment that made you take up environmental activism in the camps?

Muhammad Anowar: Seeing the trees being cut down around the camps really affected me. I wanted to do something to protect the environment. In 2020, I got involved with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They trained me and other young people on how to plant trees and talk about climate change. That’s the moment I thought I could do this! I could act to change my surroundings.

Madelene: You’re now working with a group of 150 youths focused on environmental conservation. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?

Muhammad Anowar: There are many challenges, especially convincing people that our work is important. Some people think it’s a waste of time, but I don’t let that stop me. We’ve also had to deal with the impacts of climate change directly, like the floods that hit the camps recently. Those floods were devastating, and they made me think about how much more we need to do to protect the environment.

Anowar: ''I woke up one morning and everything around me was suddenly under water.'' 

Madelene: It’s clear that your work is deeply personal to you. What do you hope to achieve in the future?

Muhammad Anowar: My dream is to become an environmental scientist. I want to study and understand more about how to protect our planet. And I want to share my story with the world. I hope to inspire others to care about the environment, no matter where they are.

Madelene: Your determination is truly inspiring. What message would you like to leave with people who are hearing your story?

Muhammad Anowar: I want people to know that even in the hardest times, we can make a difference. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you’ve been through—if you care about something, you should fight for it. I’m fighting for the environment because I believe it’s the key to a better future for all of us.

Madelene: Thank you, Anowar, for sharing your story with us. Your work is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have, even in the face of immense challenges.

 Do you have questions for Anowar, or do you want to send a message of solidarity? Please fill in this form and we will share the answers at the end of this journey.

Feeling inspired to give? Support UNHCR’s climate efforts today. 

Warm regards,

Madelene Bernard
Digital Strategy and Planning Officer
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

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