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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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We are the last generation that can end climate change. We can and we will.

Khishigjargal, 24, Mongolia.

Raising youth voices on the climate crisis

As stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, every person under the age of 18 has the right to participate in the decision-making processes that impact them. This includes a public forum to express their views, and support for them to do it.

To help fulfill this right, UNICEF has created Voices of Youth, a dedicated platform for young advocates to offer inspiring and original insights on issues that matter to them.

The sea is swallowing villages, eating away at shorelines, withering crops. Relocation of people ... cries over loved ones, dying of hunger and thirst. It's catastrophic. It's sad ... but it's real.

Timoci, 14, Fiji.

We also work with youth to spread the message offline, through initiatives like UNICEF's first-ever Climate Comic Contest.

Sathviga 'Sona' Sridhar, a 21-year-old artist from Chennai, India, was the winner of the contest in 2017. Sridhar was inspired to take action on climate change after her community was hit by devastating floods in 2015. Her winning character 'Light' - a half tree-half human who uses special powers to save nature from a warming planet ─ was ultimately turned into an educational comic book.

Advocacy is instrumental to build a better, stronger future for children and young people. UNICEF supports youth to advocate with their governments in their national contexts. In Mongolia for example, air pollution is a source of health problems for many. Here, young people have been trained to monitor air quality, and use the data they collect to call on their government to take action. Empowering youth to monitor air quality is a first, and often powerful, step in providing them with the information that they need to advocate for their rights.

Increasing youth participation to address climate change

One of the most important ways in which UNICEF helps young people participate in climate action is by giving them the opportunity to engage with leaders at events like the 2019 United Nations Youth Climate Summit in New York City.

This year, our delegation of ten young participants ─ coming from as far afield as Kenya and Bangladesh ─ featured Kherann Yao, UNICEF Youth Advocate from Côte d'Ivoire. Kherann discussed how schools can be made entirely out of recycled plastic bricks, a project supported by UNICEF in a partnership with innovative Colombian social enterprise Conceptos Plasticos.

The project will see the creation of Africa's first-of-its-kind brick factory in Côte d'Ivoire, which will convert plastic waste into modular bricks to build much needed classrooms in the West African country. This will not only help fight pollution, but also improve education and increase employment through creating a market for recyclables.

You might think that we are too young to know about the risks and realities of climate change. But we see its effects in our daily lives.

Gertrude, 16, Tanzania.

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Elevating the voices of young people to protect the future of our planet

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Extreme temperatures, catastrophic floods, melting glaciers, heat waves and all other environmental changes are revolving around since years. Calamitous changes of climate has led to drastic alterations in the lives of every creature on this earth.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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We all remember these powerful words from Greta Thunberg, a 16-year old climate activist from Sweden. Her impassioned speech at the UN Climate Action Summit accused world leaders of inaction to combat the climate crisis- a crisis that threatens all life on earth.

These powerful words sparked a change in the global community and ignited a revolution spearheaded by the younger generation.

After the world leaders failed to arrive at a consensus to curb carbon emissions during COP25 in Madrid last year - which would limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels- UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted that he was "disappointed" with the results of the conference and that "the international community lost an important opportunity to show increased ambition on mitigation, adaptation & finance to tackle the climate crisis."

The lack of enthusiasm and indecisiveness displayed by governments and world leaders to address climate change is frustrating and downright appalling. I've been actively campaigning for a year and a half- I've written countless emails and letters- but I have never received a reply from my political representative.

We flocked to the streets to demand climate action but the government turned a blind eye to us. Mock COP26 is a two-week, virtual event that mimics the processes of COP, run by young people from, so far, 40 different countries.
Our message is clear: we are no longer waiting to be permitted to speak, but are taking the floor ourselves.
If our governments fail us on climate action, and on the meaningful participation of young people, Indigenous communities, and those from the Global South, we will organise ourselves, and present our own solutions.

The impromptu postponement of COP26, originally scheduled for November 2020, is disappointing, but it provides a unique window of opportunity to bridge the yawning gap between governments' words and their actions and to give a voice to those who have been on the frontlines of the climate crisis from the start.

The event will commence with a live opening ceremony with speeches from esteemed politicians, scientists and young leaders from across the world. Delegates will listen to empowering and informative keynotes and panels, followed by a full week of facilitated workshops and regional caucuses, and gain a deeper understanding of the causes, impacts, and solutions to the climate crisis.

Their knowledge will culminate in statements from all of the delegates; their vision for a path to global carbon neutrality that encompasses voices that have until now been suppressed. The discussions will be framed around five conference themes: climate justice; education; health and mental health; green jobs; and carbon reduction targets.

Mock COP is happening because our politicians still believe that young people don't care about politics, but now, after such lack of leadership about our futures, the youth are rising up. We fight for a better future- for more development and for equity- and our leaders silence us; beyond being ignored, across the world environmental defenders and activists are imprisoned and killed.

Enough is enough. The time for complacency is over. The pandemic serves as a testament to the fact that we need a realistic action plan to build a better future where climate action doesn't take the back seat. If you want to be a participant in Mock COP26, you will be able to apply to be a delegate for your country- applications will open in the next few weeks.
Ankita Malakar is a 22 year old Mock COP volunteer from India. For more information about this event, check this website.

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"Our Leaders Have Failed Us at Every COP so We're Building Our Own": Youth Hold Virtual COP

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We all remember these powerful words from Greta Thunberg, a 16-year old climate activist from Sweden. Her impassioned speech at the UN Climate Action Summit accused world leaders of inaction to combat the climate crisis- a crisis that threatens all life on earth.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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we've reached the peak, and now it's over, it's time to feel the heat, and pay the price, for the crimes, human kind has done, after all we're only one, one species in this world, we've passed through all , the destructive times, but enough is enough, we've got to stop!

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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national aeronautics and space administration

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Interactives - Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Vital Signs of the Planet: Global Climate Change and Global Warming. Current news and data streams about global warming and climate change from NASA.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Our planet is our home, the place that sustains us; but are we living in harmony with nature? It seems like we humans have embraced a path of self-destruction, destroying the very home that shelters us. From rising carbon emissions, to deforestation and land degradation, anthropogenic activities are having detrimental effects on our ecosystems and environmental biodiversity. Not many are aware that the United Nations General Assembly had declared the period of 2011-2020, as the "Decade for Biodiversity". We are in the final period of this crucial decade, and despite several strategic plans and initiatives to mobilize people at different levels, we are miles behind in achieving the stipulated targets. The negative trends in biodiversity and ecosystems conservation, indicate that we need to do a lot more.

As teenagers, sometimes we feel helpless and powerless, unable to take action, or do things that really matter to us, since governments and large corporations are the ones taking vital decisions. While major changes are only possible if countries and corporations alter their policies and actions, we as individuals also have the potential to make a difference, whether through small actions, or larger initiatives. Let's not forget that consumers dictate markets, and they can significantly impact the way goods are produced and traded if they decide to change their consumption habits.

Here are some ways in which you can take control of your future, and protect our environment and ecosystems:
1. Start Your Own Initiative or Volunteer With Environmental Organizations
Whether it's something small like starting a community clean-up group, or building a large social organization with significant reach and impact, taking initiatives for environmental conservation can go a long way. There are many successful youth-led environmental organizations and NGO's across the globe, that are leading by example today. However, if you're not up to it, you can also make an impact on the environment by getting involved with local non-profits and assisting the environmental community groups. There are several ways in which you can get involved, from running online awareness campaigns, to offering practical help like beach clean-ups, and fundraising events.
2. Reduce/Recycle Paper
What do you do with your old textbooks and novels that are not in use? Why not donate them to juniors, or kids in your neighborhood, or send them across to countries where children have little to no access to educational resources. While books aren't doing any harm sitting on a bookshelf, why not save resources by putting them to reuse?

Similarly recycling unwanted paper will reduce the raw material demand for paper production, thus conserving trees and forest ecosystems. From online assignments, to writing e-exams, thanks to the advent of technology, paper isn't something that is necessary anymore. By making use of smart technologies that are available today, we can effortlessly shift away from paper-based activities, at all levels.
3. Recycle More Often
Recycling is a simple, yet effective way of conserving resources and reducing your individual carbon footprint. Rather than throwing everything in the trash, separate your plastic, paper, and metal waste, and deposit it in a recycling bin. Recycling helps reduce landfill pollution, raw materials and fossil fuel consumption, and generates a circular economy.
4. Save Resources
Did you know that only 0.03% of the 70% of water available to us is freshwater? That's why, saving water is so important for freshwater ecosystems. By doing simple things like taking shorter showers, avoiding small clothes washes, and turning your taps off while brushing, you can save gallons of water! Similarly, it's important to be mindful of your electricity consumption, and make adaptations so that you can reduce the demand for energy production and thereby preserve fossil fuel resources. While public and private entities plan the transition to sustainable alternatives, by doing our bit at homes and offices, we can reduce fossil fuel dependency.
5. Buy Sustainable Products
Plastic is one of the most significant contributors to soil and marine pollution, endangering both the land and marine life. Plastic isn't biodegradable, and is often consumed by animals who mistake it as food. When buying a product, be aware of its environmental impact and disposal after use. Companies are now being questioned on their ecological footprint, and changing consumer habits are compelling them to become more sustainable. There are several sustainable brands available today, and it is easier to find out about the products origin, materials and recyclability. When you're stocking up on school or office supplies like folders and pens, or buying toys and home accessories, try to look for more eco-friendly alternatives that can replace plastic. For example, some of us use so much plastic from buying bottled water every day, when buying your own reusable water bottle is not only cheaper, but also much better for the environment.

Also, buying local products and produce is a great way to minimize carbon footprint, as goods don't have to travel longer distances and consume more fuel for transportation. Do some research and find out about the local eco-stores and farms in your area. Supporting small businesses is also great for the local economy because you're sustaining the economic activity and job creation in your area.
6. Decrease Meat & Dairy Consumption
Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming. With increasing demand for meat, the number of live-stock farms has gone up significantly over the last few decades. As livestock release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, excessive meat and dairy consumption has detrimental effects on our climate. Additionally, unsustainable dairy and cattle farming leads to the destruction of ecologically important areas such as wetlands and forests. Deforestation required to house animals like cows and chickens are damaging habitats and natural ecosystems, where hundreds of species depend on each other for survival. Thus, the only way we can prevent more damage is by being responsible, and eating less meat and dairy products.
7. Only Buy What You Need
Lastly, think about your purchasing habits. Do you buy too many products? Can you do without some of the things that you often buy? Are you being a responsible consumer? Simply buying more because of tempting offers or discounts will actually cost us and the environment more. Whether its groceries, clothes, accessories or home products, by purchasing only what you need, you reduce the amount of waste generated, and thus pollution. As natural resources are limited, our excessive consumption can be counter-productive, and undermine our planet's biodiversity.

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7 Ways In Which Youth Can Protect The Environment

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Our planet is our home, the place that sustains us; but are we living in harmony with nature? It seems like we humans have embraced a path of self-destruction, destroying the very home that shelters us. From rising carbon emissions, to deforestation and land degradation, anthropogenic activities are having detrimental effects on our ecosystems and environmental biodiversity.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, striking in Stockholm, Sweden, ©Per Grunditz/Shutterstock.com.; Wind turbines in Banc D'Arguin, National Park Nature Reserve, Mauritania, ©UNDP/Freya Morales.; Birds by Mehdi Sepehri on Unsplash.

The evidence

Young people see, in a way that too many adults do not, a world that is rapidly becoming unrecognizable.

The last four years have been the hottest ever recorded.

For the first time ever in human history, atmospheric carbon dioxide, the gas most responsible for global warming, is at a terrifying 415 parts per million, a record-breaking surge in atmospheric pollution.

The Arctic burned in the northern summer, and ice sheets are melting at startling rates.

Across the world cities are boiling like never before.

India recorded its worst-ever heatwave-four northern cities recorded record highs. One in Rajasthan crossed 50°C (122°F) twice in a week.

Four European countries reached temperatures never before seen.

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Preliminary new German heat record.. 42,6 °C! Over 2° warmer than the old record.
Which was yesterday.... https://t.co/i4OuL5VLu7
- Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) July 25, 2019

School strike for climate.

Strength in numbers

Greta Thunberg started alone, but quickly gained allies. Tapping into young peoples' anger and frustration, #FridaysForFuture climate strikes went global.

From Uganda to Australia, millions have left their classrooms, with demands for their own governments.

Most are not even old enough to vote. Yet the movement has become a juggernaut-reaching the highest levels of political engagement.

Jamie Margolin, 17, Climate Activist and Co-founder of Zero hour, ©Alba Botanica.; Trees by David Zawila on Unsplash.

Fed up

Those who have the most to lose are fed up with political inaction.

Their message is clear: the older generation has failed, and it is the young who will pay in full-with their very futures.

"It's not just an issue on the list for us kids. It's not; 'oh yes, I intellectually care about climate change because I have time in my spare time to feel good about myself and care about a turtle,' it's actual existential fear." Jamie Margolin, Climate Activist & Co-founder of Zero Hour

It is a message that the UN Secretary-General has heard.

"My generation has failed to respond properly to the dramatic challenge of climate change. This is deeply felt by young people. No wonder they are angry." António Guterres

Is the system broken?

Mr. Guterres has invited world leaders to the UN Climate Action Summit in September in New York. The aim is to radically revise every country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by next year.

UNDP will launch the 'People's Climate Vote' which will bring the priorities of citizens to policymakers to increase political leadership and step up progress on carbon neutrality.

We want to make sure every person's voice is heard-no matter what their age.

Penguins on the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, photo by Casey Allen on Unsplash;

Young people come first

Leading up to the Climate Action Summit is the Youth Climate Summit -giving young people the opportunity to make decision-makers feel their urgency, and hear their ideas.

"One of the things that's so powerful about the youth movement is that a lot of us think outside the structure and the system that adults have created and so we think about solving the climate crisis in some ways that adults wouldn't." Alexandria Villaseñor, Climate Activist & Founder, Earth Uprising International

Young people are asking for real allies to work towards significant systemic change

"We don't want the burden to be thrown on our shoulders. I get messages again and again. "The youth will save the world." And that is just such an unfair burden to place on a 17-year-old girl, just trying to figure out her life. That is such an unfair burden to place on kids who did not cause this problem and do not have the voting power, or the monetary power, the resource power the adults in power have." Jamie Margolin, Climate activist and Zero Hour co-founder
1-2. Youth-led climate strike outside the United Nations on 30 August 2019. ©UNDP/Sumaya Agha
3. Greta Thunberg striking in Stockholm, Sweden. ©Per Grunditz/Shutterstock.com
4. Climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor has been striking outside UNHQ since December 2018. ©UNDP/Sumaya Agha
Within the United Nations, UNDP plays a leading role in working for just and sustainable societies.

At the Social Good Summit in New York in September, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner will advocate strongly for young people.

"Youth leaders are rightfully impatient for leadership on climate change and are taking charge of their own future. This is our collective moment in history to disrupt the status quo, and the Social Good Summit is just the kind of platform young people need to have their voices heard loud and clear." Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator

Fist, ©Alba Botanica.; Zebra photo by Jordi Fernandez on Unsplash.

"The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is wake up and change." Greta Thunberg

Take part:

Join the movement:

#ClimateAction#ClimateActionNow

Alexandria Villasenõr, 17, Climate Activist & Founder, Earth Uprising International, ©UNDP/Sumaya Agha.; Icebergs in Greenland, photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.

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Young people see, in a way that too many adults do not, a world that is rapidly becoming unrecognizable. The last four years have been the hottest ever recorded. For the first time ever in human history, atmospheric carbon dioxide, the gas most responsible for global warming, is at a terrifying 415 parts per million, a record-breaking surge in atmospheric pollution.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Information for young people / i pobl ifanc

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Join us on a journey through the oceans. We'll meet a turtle family, discover what makes their home special and why it's threatened. This journey will equip you for an important task! To create a poster that will persuade friends, families and neighbours that our oceans need saving. ( Jump to info for grownups)

Wherever you see a black and white audio player like the one below, you can hit play to listen to a recording of the words while you read along.

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Our-Oceans-are-in-Danger.mp3

Meet the Greens

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Meet-the-Greens-.mp3

Say hello to the Greens! They are a family of green sea turtles. We will join them on their journey home from visiting their grandparents. First, the Greens would like to show you why their home, the ocean, is so special.

There are lots of reasons why the oceans are important to everyone, including humans! Here are just a few of them:

Half the oxygen we breathe comes from the oceans. That's every second breath you take!

The oceans are a habitat to 80% of the creatures that live on Earth. This means that 8 out of every 10 plants or animals rely on the oceans to survive.

The oceans stop the Earth from getting too hot by absorbing dangerous gases, like carbon dioxide, which heat up the atmosphere. Without the oceans, lots of places would be too hot to grow food or even live in!

The oceans provide us with ingredients to make many life-giving medicines.

The oceans provide lots of people around the world with an abundance of food. Many different species of fish, like mackerel and herring, and shellfish, like crab, come from the oceans.

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Why-is-our-home-threatened.mp3

Wow! The oceans are really important to everyone on Earth. However, they're at risk from things like:

🥤 Plastic pollution

Every minute a truck-load of plastic is dumped in our oceans. Turtles, like the Green family, get tangled in plastic waste or mistake it for food! They can become sick and even die.

🎣 Destructive fishing

Gigantic fishing boats are a huge threat to precious marine animals, like dolphins. This is because they accidentally get caught in their massive nets which also smash up their homes, just like the Greens' house!

🛢️ Drilling for oil

Big companies drill into the ocean floor to take out oil. This oil can leak into the water, poisoning lots of sea creatures. When burnt, this oil also releases pollution into the atmosphere which is making climate change worse.

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Our-journey-home.mp3

Let's join the Greens on their journey. While you watch, can you spot any of the threats to the oceans? You might like to write your answers down.

Now you've watched the film, let's think about the Greens' journey. You can answer the questions below by getting some plain paper and a pencil, or saying them out loud.

How did the film make you feel?

"The film made me feel................................................"

Why do you think it made you feel this way?

"I felt this way because................................."

How do you think the Greens might have felt?

"I think the Greens felt..............................................."

What surprised you most during the film?

"I was surprised that......................"

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Greenpeace-is-here-to-help-save-us.mp3

Our oceans are in trouble. You might be worried there is no solution? But don't! Greenpeace has a plan to protect our oceans and all the creatures in it.

Greenpeace is an environmental group that works hard to protect people, animals and plants all over the world. We hate seeing our planet being destroyed so we look for solutions. Millions of people everywhere support Greenpeace's work. That's how we have been able to work with experts to find a way to save the oceans.

The solution is to create Global Ocean Sanctuaries.

But what is a Global Ocean Sanctuary?

It's a large part of the ocean that is kept safe from damaging activities. This means no destructive fishing, no oil drilling and no dumping of chemicals or rubbish like plastic. Instead, dolphins, whales, penguins and turtles can live much happier lives. Imagine how different the Greens' journey home would have been if they lived in a Global Ocean Sanctuary?

Soon, there will be an important meeting. Governments from all over the world will decide if we should make many more Global Ocean Sanctuaries. It is important that as many people as possible know the importance of Global Ocean Sanctuaries.

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Help-us-save-our-home.mp3

There is hope for the Green family's home, but we need your help!

What is my challenge?

Your challenge is to make an eye-catching poster to persuade your friends, families and neighbours that the oceans need our protection. Show them your poster and talk about what you've learnt, especially what is being done to protect the oceans.

Sharing your knowledge and showing that you care will help them want to protect the oceans too. The more people who care, the more we can protect our oceans.

What will I need?

You will need:

It is your choice what materials you use to make the poster. Here are some suggestions:

Colouring pencils

Paints and a paintbrush

Old paper (this could be magazines, food wrappers or gift wrap)

Natural items, like leaves and flower petals, from outside

What could I include?

A good persuasive poster will have pictures that grab the audience's attention. For example, the pictures might show what is fantastic about the oceans, how the oceans are being destroyed or what people can do to help save the oceans. Think bold and eye-catching designs.

A good persuasive poster will have short powerful phrases.

It is important to have a message that catches your audience's attention. You could use some of the techniques below to make yours stand out.

Strong adjectives - fragile, precious, magnificent, shocking

Rhetorical questions - Can you help protect our oceans?

Powerful verbs - save, stop, protect, destroy, help, rescue

Alliteration - Sanctuaries for Survival!

Other great words you might use are: oceans, homes, wildlife, global oceans sanctuaries.

Examples of powerful phrases you could use are: 'Oceans Need Heroes! Can you be one of them?' or 'We need global ocean sanctuaries now!'

What should I do with my poster?

Share it with your friends, families and neighbours and talk about the importance of protecting our oceans.

Greenpeace has created an online gallery to show the posters people have made. If you'd like your poster to persuade more people to protect the oceans, ask your parents, carer or teacher to take a photograph. Then they can send it to myphoto.uk@greeneace.org. We'll put lots of the photos in the gallery. It is important to get their permission to send the photo.

We can't wait to see all your ideas. Each one will help to spread the word to Protect our Oceans.

Top turtle facts

🐢 Sea turtles have been living on the earth since the time of the dinosaurs.

🎁 Sea turtles can live as long as a century (that's 100 years) in the wild.

🐣 Less than 1 in 1,000 hatchlings will survive to be an adult. It's really tough being a baby sea turtle!

💔 6 out of 7 species of sea turtle are threatened with extinction.

Glossary

Atmosphere: the layer of gas (air) surrounding the Earth.

Extinction: the dying out of a species from the Earth.

Global Ocean Sanctuary: a place in the ocean where no destructive human activities take place.

Habitat: the natural place where a plant, animal or other organism lives.

Species: a group of animals, plants or other living things that all share common features and are able to reproduce together.

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Our oceans are in danger! Help save them with Greenpeace | Greenpeace UK

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Join us on a journey through the oceans. We'll meet a turtle family, discover what makes their home special and why it's threatened. This journey will equip you for an important task! To create a poster that will persuade friends, families and neighbours that our oceans need saving.

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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Climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, striking in Stockholm, Sweden, ©Per Grunditz/Shutterstock.com.; Wind turbines in Banc D'Arguin, National Park Nature Reserve, Mauritania, ©UNDP/Freya Morales.; Birds by Mehdi Sepehri on Unsplash.

The evidence

Young people see, in a way that too many adults do not, a world that is rapidly becoming unrecognizable.

The last four years have been the hottest ever recorded.

For the first time ever in human history, atmospheric carbon dioxide, the gas most responsible for global warming, is at a terrifying 415 parts per million, a record-breaking surge in atmospheric pollution.

The Arctic burned in the northern summer, and ice sheets are melting at startling rates.

Across the world cities are boiling like never before.

India recorded its worst-ever heatwave-four northern cities recorded record highs. One in Rajasthan crossed 50°C (122°F) twice in a week.

Four European countries reached temperatures never before seen.

spacer

Preliminary new German heat record.. 42,6 °C! Over 2° warmer than the old record.
Which was yesterday.... https://t.co/i4OuL5VLu7
- Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) July 25, 2019

School strike for climate.

Strength in numbers

Greta Thunberg started alone, but quickly gained allies. Tapping into young peoples' anger and frustration, #FridaysForFuture climate strikes went global.

From Uganda to Australia, millions have left their classrooms, with demands for their own governments.

Most are not even old enough to vote. Yet the movement has become a juggernaut-reaching the highest levels of political engagement.

Jamie Margolin, 17, Climate Activist and Co-founder of Zero hour, ©Alba Botanica.; Trees by David Zawila on Unsplash.

Fed up

Those who have the most to lose are fed up with political inaction.

Their message is clear: the older generation has failed, and it is the young who will pay in full-with their very futures.

"It's not just an issue on the list for us kids. It's not; 'oh yes, I intellectually care about climate change because I have time in my spare time to feel good about myself and care about a turtle,' it's actual existential fear." Jamie Margolin, Climate Activist & Co-founder of Zero Hour

It is a message that the UN Secretary-General has heard.

"My generation has failed to respond properly to the dramatic challenge of climate change. This is deeply felt by young people. No wonder they are angry." António Guterres

Is the system broken?

Mr. Guterres has invited world leaders to the UN Climate Action Summit in September in New York. The aim is to radically revise every country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by next year.

UNDP will launch the 'People's Climate Vote' which will bring the priorities of citizens to policymakers to increase political leadership and step up progress on carbon neutrality.

We want to make sure every person's voice is heard-no matter what their age.

Penguins on the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, photo by Casey Allen on Unsplash;

Young people come first

Leading up to the Climate Action Summit is the Youth Climate Summit -giving young people the opportunity to make decision-makers feel their urgency, and hear their ideas.

"One of the things that's so powerful about the youth movement is that a lot of us think outside the structure and the system that adults have created and so we think about solving the climate crisis in some ways that adults wouldn't." Alexandria Villaseñor, Climate Activist & Founder, Earth Uprising International

Young people are asking for real allies to work towards significant systemic change

"We don't want the burden to be thrown on our shoulders. I get messages again and again. "The youth will save the world." And that is just such an unfair burden to place on a 17-year-old girl, just trying to figure out her life. That is such an unfair burden to place on kids who did not cause this problem and do not have the voting power, or the monetary power, the resource power the adults in power have." Jamie Margolin, Climate activist and Zero Hour co-founder
1-2. Youth-led climate strike outside the United Nations on 30 August 2019. ©UNDP/Sumaya Agha
3. Greta Thunberg striking in Stockholm, Sweden. ©Per Grunditz/Shutterstock.com
4. Climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor has been striking outside UNHQ since December 2018. ©UNDP/Sumaya Agha
Within the United Nations, UNDP plays a leading role in working for just and sustainable societies.

At the Social Good Summit in New York in September, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner will advocate strongly for young people.

"Youth leaders are rightfully impatient for leadership on climate change and are taking charge of their own future. This is our collective moment in history to disrupt the status quo, and the Social Good Summit is just the kind of platform young people need to have their voices heard loud and clear." Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator

Fist, ©Alba Botanica.; Zebra photo by Jordi Fernandez on Unsplash.

"The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions. All we have to do is wake up and change." Greta Thunberg

Take part:

Join the movement:

#ClimateAction#ClimateActionNow

Alexandria Villasenõr, 17, Climate Activist & Founder, Earth Uprising International, ©UNDP/Sumaya Agha.; Icebergs in Greenland, photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.

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Young people see, in a way that too many adults do not, a world that is rapidly becoming unrecognizable. The last four years have been the hottest ever recorded. For the first time ever in human history, atmospheric carbon dioxide, the gas most responsible for global warming, is at a terrifying 415 parts per million, a record-breaking surge in atmospheric pollution.

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For professionals / gweithwyr proffesiynol

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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for professionals / gweithwyr proffesiynol

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwry proffesiynol

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For professionals / gweithwyr proffesiynol

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED, GET SHARING
Our Green Ambassadors 4 Youth scheme offers a series of practical activities that will enable your group to explore the links between wildlife, the environment and our lifestyles.
It'sdeveloped around six topical issues, meaning leaders have the flexibility to choose a subject that's relevant to their group and their area. Each theme is fronted by one of our friendly Green Ambassador characters - Crush (waste), Switch (energy), Tap (water), Smith (food), Leafy (plants and animals), and Wheel (transport) - who will guide you along your Green Ambassador 4 Youth journey.

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Our Green Ambassadors 4 Youth scheme offers a series of practical activities that will enable your group to explore the links between wildlife, the environment and our lifestyles. It'sdeveloped around six topical issues, meaning leaders have the flexibility to choose a subject that's relevant to their group and their area.

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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We provide a bank of free educational resources that support lessons on climate change and tropical forests.

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Resources for professionals / Adnoddau gweithwyr proffesiynol

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For young people / i pobl ifanc

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The Impacts of Climate Change in Bangladesh | Voices of Youth

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A blog about the impact of climate change in Bangladesh, including the effects on the environment and the best eco-friendly practices to protect it.