The environmental crisis has a widespread effect on life on Earth, but children and young people have shown special attention to the issue in several countries. The group is among those that tend to suffer the greatest impact from problems such as pollution, devastation and climate change.
ADVERTISING
- In 2021, according to the United Nations, 59,1 million people were left homeless by the impacts of climate change in the world.
- 1 billion children around the world are extremely exposed to the impacts of the crisis and environmental changes, according to a report from Unicef (2021)
The motivation of the new generations – born between 1981 and 1996 (millennials), from 1997 to 2012 (generation-z) or after 2012 (alpha) – is to face apathy in the face of urgent issues that pose a threat to their health, education and development . Critically, the generation does not accept having to deal with the choices of governments and people who came before or being censored when faced with important decisions that could have repercussions on their lives.
It's in Brazil?
In Brazil, in particular, the risk of food and infrastructure insecurity is greater, especially in relation to vulnerable populations. A climate anxiety It is also one of the problems that especially impacts young Brazilians. 48% of the group expects the climate crisis to worsen, according to data collected by the Lancet Planetary Health magazine. The rate in Brazil was one of the highest among the 10 other countries analyzed.
Greta for the World
“It’s no secret that the COP26 it is a failure. How long will it take for politicians to wake up? The Climate Summit has become a two-week festival to wash your conscience (…)”. The voice of indignation at a protest in Glasgow comes from 19-year-old Swedish socio-environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
ADVERTISING
Before the Summit took place, a Unicef survey had shown that only 4% of young climate activists in Latin America and the Caribbean believed that their governments were taking necessary climate measures. One of the main issues raised by the leaders was the fight against the increase in global temperature by 1,5ºC by the end of the decade.
Greta became known for starting the popular movement Fridays For Future in 2018, when he declared the start of a school strike in front of the Swedish Parliament. Their constant demands for measures to contain climate change gained strength and mobilization in more than 100 countries less than a year later.
Meet other young climate activists
Ridhima Pandey, 14
- Born in Haridwar, region of India Known for pollution and flooding
- At 9, he sued the Indian government for its inaction in the face of environmental problems
- Named one of the “100 most inspiring and influential women” by the BBC.
- @ridhimapandeyy
Vanessa Nagate, 25
- It was highlighted at COP26, where it had been excluded from a photo with 4 white activists in the previous edition.
- Born in Kampala, capital of Uganda
- He founded a center for youth mobilization and published the book “A Bigger Picture”
- She is one of the 100 most influential young African women and a member of the Young Leaders of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- @vanessa_vash
Valentia Ruas, 19
- One of the spokespersons for Friday for Future in Brazil
- Was born in Brasilia
- He helped create the “SOS Amazônia” Campaign in Manaus, which brought together resources to combat fires, deforestation and other problems in the region
- @vavruass
Amanda Costa, 25
- Ecofeminist and anti-racist, she was on Forbes Magazine's #Under30 list and is a young UN ambassador
- He started climate activism at 21 with the NGO Engajamundo, which prepares young leaders for political participation in international processes, such as the COP
- Born and lives in Brasilândia, São Paulo, where there is, among others, the Cappadocia favela, which has a high hydrological risk.
- Defends that climate and environmental racism be included in the discussion of the crisis.
- @souamandacosta
Curto Curatorship
- The newest generation of activists who want to change the world (Magazine Range)
- Young people from the periphery on the front line of the fight against the climate emergency in Brazil (Public Agency)
- A youth connected to environmental issues (Collaborate Project)
- Documentary: Tomorrow is today – The drama of Brazilians impacted by climate change
- Films to talk about politics with children (Speed glasses)
- 70% of 10-year-old children are now in learning poverty, unable to read and understand simple text (UNICEF)
