OYW: Environment Plenary

"If they don't lead, you should make them follow" - Kofi Annan

As a youth leadership summit with an expressly global focus, six large plenary sessions were covered within two days. On his video message to the delegates, US Senator John Kerry said that “there has never been a time when young people have to be active in politics,” something I strongly believe in. Too many people in power are preventing to take action yet this summit will prove that young people have the motivation and strength to collaboratively create change.

The first session on the environment was supported by a mighty group of counsellors: Sir Bob Geldof, President Alejandro Toledo of Peru, Nick Haysom (UN Director of Politics), and former UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan.

Delegate speaker Lina Imran Abdullahi (Ethiopia) kicked the session off by highlighting the deadly conflicts in Africa over natural resources and the impact it is having on migration and the environment. Gerardo Dasyel (Mexico) examined the concept of ‘back to basics’ in adapting to a more simple lifestyle. COP16 will be held in Mexico, and will be a grave and dire disappointment if the outcome of the negotiation is anything like that of Copenhagen. Caroline Rush (Canada) concluded that out of a 3000 Canadian youth poll, 71% agreed that climate change is the biggest problem, however only 20% are engaged in improving its condition. This led to the discussion of educating youths online through social network services to better inform our peers.

Parker Liautaud (France) is an amazing example of how youths can be an example of change. While some youth may not have the investment and credibility to progress, Parker is planning to ski to the North Pole as one of the youngest Arctic explorer. Kashfia Rahman (Bangladesh) emphasised that displacement of climate change will cause a new politically and unstable world. In the last three years, three cyclones have devastated Bangladesh. If the rate of climate change continues, where will these 35 million people go? Karuna Rana (Mauritius) illustrated that it is possible for even developing countries to mitigate climate change. Mauritius is currently ranked sixth position on its environmental performance index, moving from 20% to 65% energy autonomy using renewables by 2028. “Let’s not forget that every single drop makes an ocean,” she said, reminding the world that individual actions make an impact.

In his speech, Kofi Annan apologised by saying “my generation has failed you,” but as we are all “in the same boat” the issue of climate change must be put higher on the political agenda, pushing for a fair, equitable and binding agreement. Our generation has already proven that our ideas and thinking are alike, therefore if politicians do not do what we want them to, us youths must apply pressure to ensure that they do what we need them to do.

Draft Resolution (to be amended): In the belief that climate change will seriously affect future generations, we call upon governments to take more deliberate, legislative action to help guarantee that appropriate carbon emissions reduction targets are both agreed and met by 2020.