COP28 and Young Climate Activists: A Call for Urgent Action
ARABINDA RABHA
The 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai has become a battleground for the future of our planet, and the voices of young climate activists are resonating louder than ever.
As the conference heads towards its conclusion, the urgency of addressing climate change and transitioning away from fossil fuels takes center stage.
The world is home to the largest youth generation in history, with 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 to 24. These individuals, increasingly aware of the risks posed by the climate crisis, are making their presence felt at COP28. Today, they stand united in demanding that government policymakers prioritize the needs of nearly 2 billion children worldwide.
In the lead-up to the conference, the UN released alarming reports indicating that our planet is at a tipping point. The latest findings from the UN weather agency, WMO, highlight that greenhouse gases are accelerating ice melt and sea level rise. As COP28 nears its conclusion, the focus on negotiations around curbing global warming and the future of fossil fuels intensifies.
At a youth dialogue event, Ameila Turk of YOUNGO, a global network of children and youth activists, outlined the global youth statement delivered to COP28 delegates. This policy document, crafted with inputs from over 750,000 individuals across 150 countries, serves as a powerful testament to the unity and determination of the youth climate movement.
While the representation of youth at COP28 events is significant, Dr. Mashkur Isa of YOUNGO notes a concerning absence of young voices in the day-to-day workings of the conference.
Despite continuous calls for ambitious climate action, children and youth remain largely absent from climate discussions, commitments, and policymaking. Dr. Isa emphasizes the imperative for parties to prioritize the interests of children and youth in climate decision-making at all levels.
A crucial aspect of the youth agenda at COP28 revolves around the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). This initiative, aligned with the Paris Agreement’s objectives, aims to empower all members of society to engage in climate action through education, public awareness, training, participation, access to information, and international cooperation.
Bhumi Sharma, a YOUNGO member, stresses the importance of securing finance for ACE and laments the chronic absence of funds dedicated to this cause.
Speaking to UN News, Sharma underscores that activism for climate action originates from within, expressing hope that people take the climate crisis seriously. This sentiment aligns with the acknowledgment that the climate crisis is not just an environmental challenge but an educational crisis, as highlighted by UNICEF’s analysis.
Weather-related disasters have caused the internal displacement of 43.1 million children in 44 countries over a six-year period, disrupting the education of 62 million children and adolescents.
Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait, emphasizes the integral connection between climate change, displacement, and education. Displacement, often caused by climate-related events, directly affects the education of children and youth, shaping their futures. Sherif advocates for placing education at the center of the climate action agenda, calling for increased funding and reprioritization of resources.
Education Cannot Wait is actively pushing for progress at COP28, advocating for the integration of education into climate action strategies. Sherif contends that even a small investment in education can have a significant impact, shaping the next generation of individuals equipped to address the challenges posed by climate change. She challenges the prevailing notion that resources are lacking, suggesting a reprioritization of funds, particularly from military expenditures.
Carmen Burbano from the World Food Programme (WFP) echoes the sentiment that education, youth, and climate action must converge in comprehensive solutions. WFP’s focus on reimagining school meals aligns with the larger goal of promoting sustainable food systems. Switching to cleaner energy sources in preparing school meals can contribute to preventing deforestation and promoting the use of renewable energies in communities around schools.
As COP28 reaches its halfway mark, pledges and declarations have been made, including the establishment of a loss and damage fund to support vulnerable developing countries and commitments to strengthen global healthcare systems. The phasing out of fossil fuels, building resilience to climate impacts, and financial support for vulnerable countries are among the most discussed topics.
Major reports launched during the conference underscore the urgency of addressing climate change. The world is heating up at a pace that could lead to planetary collapse, according to a report from the UN weather agency. The warmest decade ever recorded from 2011 to 2030, coupled with accelerating greenhouse gas emissions, poses a direct threat to polar ice caps and mountainous regions.
Looking ahead, the global stocktake will be crucial in determining how far the world has come since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and charting the course for future climate action plans. COP28 is expected to conclude on Tuesday, and the decisions made by parties could have far-reaching consequences for the planet’s future.
COP28 stands at a critical juncture where the urgency of climate action intersects with the impassioned voices of young climate activists. The demands for prioritizing education, empowering youth, and phasing out fossil fuels underscore the need for comprehensive and immediate action.
As the conference progresses, the world watches with anticipation, hoping for bold and transformative decisions that will shape the trajectory of our planet’s future.
09-12-2023
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