Climate and Sustainability > News > Int. Youth Unite at COP14

2008-12-09

International Youth Unite in Poland for Bold Climate Action

500+ young people from over 50 countries work together, pushing world leaders to reach agreement.

Poznań, Poland- For the first two weeks of December, over 500 young people from around the world will attend the 14th annual UN Climate Change negotiations in Poznań, Poland. These youth leaders are here to demand global cooperation towards a strong, ambitious, and just climate treaty. International youth are pushing for policies that reflect current scientific understanding and ensure a safe and equitable future. "Over the last fourteen years, governments have shown astonishing negligence in dealing with climate change," said Kartikeya Singh, 24, of the Indian Youth Delegation. "Young people are uniting around the shared vision that the world so desperately needs."

At the negotiations, youth delegations from over 50 countries will be stressing the urgency of the climate crisis and highlighting the opportunities that decisive action will create. They will meet with government representatives, participate in colorful actions and creative demonstrations, and let the global public know what their governments are doing on their behalf. Current plans include building the global youth movement by supporting smaller delegations, shaming negotiators who obstruct the policy process, and demanding that a youth voice be heard in the official meetings of the conference.

Despite the challenges they face, the youth are adamant that failure is not an option. "These negotiations began when I was four years old. We've been coming here year after year, and I'm tired of trying to convince the negotiators to take climate change seriously. Time is running out, and I'm here to tell my leaders that my future is not negotiable. I want to know that rich countries will peak their emissions in the next four years and provide financial help for developing countries to do the same. Any global climate deal must be equitable, and provide for sustainable development." said Liz McDowell, 23, a youth delegate from the UK.

There is a strong history of youth participation at international climate negotiations. In previous years, actions organized by the youth have made a dramatic impact. In Montreal in 2005, they envisioned an ice-free future by playing a game of 'ice hockey' in a swimming pool. At 2006's Nairobi conference, they lined the entrance hall as negotiators entered, standing with duct tape over their mouths to symbolize the lack of formal youth representation at the negotiations.

"Our history of involvement in these negotiations shows that the youth are committed to strong, positive solutions to the climate crisis." said Svetlana Morozova, 25, a youth delegate from Belarus."Young people make up half of the world's population, and we will inherit the final agreement and its consequences. Our voices must be heard."

For more information, visit Youth Climate's website or contact Brianna Cayo Cotter on +48 51 85 53 516.