New youth climate change advisory group launches

From school strikes to demonstrations to new innovations, we have seen the power of young people to create change. PHOTO: ImageCollab

With young people on the front lines of climate action showing what bold leadership looks like, the new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change has been launched by António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) on 28 July. He says from school strikes to demonstrations to new innovations, we have seen the power of young people to create change and we need to build on this momentum.

“We are in a climate emergency. We do not have the luxury of time. We need urgent action now to recover better from COVID-19 to confront injustice and inequality and address climate disruption. That is why I am launching my Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change to provide perspectives, ideas and solutions that will help us scale up climate action. I urge young people everywhere to keep driving climate action forward. We need you more than ever,” says Guterres.

Selwin Hart, special adviser on climate, says young people understand more than any other group, the threat that climate change poses to their present and their future. Speaking to reporters via video teleconference, he says it is time this group give young climate leaders an opportunity to inform the decision-making process and to suggest actions and solutions that will help us move faster and much further.

“The group will comprise of seven climate activists from all regions of the world between 18 and 28 years who will serve until the end 2021. The members are Archana Soreng from India, Nisreen Elsaim of Sudan, Ernest Gibson from Fiji, Vladislav Kaim of Moldova, Sophia Kianni of the United States, Nathan Metenier of France, and Paloma Costa of Brazil. They will provide perspectives and solutions to tackle the climate crisis as the global body mobilizes action as part of the COVID-19 recovery efforts,” says Hart. VIDEO: UNifeed