Global Youth Unite: Children Demand Urgent Climate Action at COP28

UNICEF and Alana captured testimonies from children and adolescents worldwide in the films of the project “The Important Stuff”. Children tell how the climate emergency has affected their lives. They are being seen and heard at the most influential spaces at COP28, such as the Al Wasl Plaza Dome, in Dubai (Dec. 8th at 7 p.m.).

The United Nations Conference on Climate Change meetings will have a different participation: in addition to traditionally suited representatives of countries, 25 children's testimonies from 12 countries will be heard. They talk about how their lives have been impacted by the climate emergency and demand effective action from authorities. The films were produced by UNICEF and Alana, in partnership with Bernard van Leer Foundation.

Watch the films here: http://bit.ly/the-important-stuff

Children are the most impacted by the climate emergency and they represent one third of the world's population (around 2.2 billion people), with half of them (more than 1 billion) currently living in places exposed to severe climate risks, especially in the Global South. In the world today, more than 1 in 4 deaths of children under 5 years of age are attributable to unhealthy environments. Despite this, children do not participate or are taken into consideration in COP agendas and negotiations, which will define their lives. In more than 30 years since the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) entry into force, there has never been a decision focused on the protection of children and adolescents.

“When we speak about climate change, we are speaking about children. We need to protect their futures – it’s that simple. The powerful testimonials of children like these need to be the last thing that negotiators hear before entering discussions that determine what kind of world they will grow up in. We can only hope they listen”, said UNICEF global lead on climate change Gautam Narasimhan.

“Children are not just victims, but also active contributors as agents of change. We have seen children stand up around the world and push for solutions. They have the right to participate in decisions”, says JP Amaral, Nature Manager at Alana.

In the films, children from Madagascar, Somalia, Serbia, Australia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the United States, Barbados, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil spontaneously express their genuine concerns and call for immediate solutions from the planet's top leaders. The statements arose from the question “Do you think adults are doing enough to help solve the problems of climate change”? The children were definitive in their responses:

“I would like to say yes, but they are not ", Yehansa (Australia);

" I don't think adults do anything about climate change ", Hidaya (Somalia);

" Stop fighting and let's focus on what really matters ", Sadie (United States);

“ If you keep burning, we're going to die in this heat ", Raoni (Brazil)

"We are already poor and if climate change continues, we will really be in trouble", Lova (Madagascar);

"I’d tell them to try harder.", Lamar (Egypt);

"No offense, but you only have a few years left to live, while I'm only 11 years old", Aleema (USA);

"Stop thinking and do something once and for all", Laila (Barbados);

"Climate change has ruined my life", Anja (Servia).

About Alana

Alana is a socio-environmental impact group that promotes and inspires a better world for children. A sustainable, fair, inclusive, egalitarian and plural world. A world that celebrates and protects democracy, social justice, human and children's rights with absolute priority. A world that takes care of its people, its forests, its seas, its air. Alana is a system of three interconnected, interdependent spheres, with convergent action, guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The meeting of an Institute, a Foundation and an Impact Entertainment Business Center. A unique combination of education, science, entertainment and advocacy that mixes dream and reality, research and pop culture, justice and development, articulation and dialogue, political advocacy and well-told stories.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), originally known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in countries that had been devastated by World War II. In 1950, UNICEF's mandate was extended to address the long-term needs of children and women in developing countries everywhere. In 1953 it became a permanent part of the United Nations System, and the words "international" and "emergency" were dropped from the organization's name, though it retained the original acronym, "UNICEF".