Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus urged global citizens to adopt a fossil-fuel-free, waste-free lifestyle to ensure future survival.
Speaking at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, he emphasized the need to build a “counter-culture” that prioritizes zero waste, zero carbon emissions, and social business.
“To survive, we need a new lifestyle based on zero waste and zero carbon — no fossil fuels, only renewables,” said Dr. Yunus, a Nobel laureate, on Tuesday. “This will be an economy driven by zero personal profit, focusing instead on social business to solve pressing social and environmental issues.”
He highlighted that the new model would empower young people through entrepreneurship-focused education, moving away from traditional job-seeking paths. “Each young person should aim to be a ‘three zero’ individual — achieving zero carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration through social businesses, and zero unemployment by becoming entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Yunus envisions this shift as a voluntary, values-based choice, especially attractive to youth, who will drive the development of this sustainable “three zero” civilization for future generations.
