A NEED FOR ACTION

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Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It is a threat to the preservation of life, with impacts capable of undermining the ability of countries to achieve Social Development Goals. Consumption of fossil fuels for energy accounts for 70 percent of human induced greenhouse gas emissions. It has been argued that if we are to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030, as urged by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, then urgent transformative and radical action is needed. Climate change agreements and protocols have been made at various global fora, but at times competing economies of efficiency, economies of location and urbanization have suppressed these good intentions. Gaia 2031, focusing on children, youth, adults and policy makers outlines the possible mitigative human actions and behavior that must be encouraged and practiced in order to preserve life through environmental conservation, among other actions. In the light of the above facts and to address these pertinent issues, Children Now, a Canadian charitable and not-for-profit organization for children, youth and families, is organizing a Youth Leadership and Climate Action Symposium to be held in Summer 2021, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Children Now is of the firm conviction that thought leaders around the world have a compelling obligation and duty to urgently address these climate change challenges. It is out of this realization that Children Now decided to organize this symposium which will bring together global thought leaders. It is expected that practical and actionable initiatives will be developed from the symposium proceedings.

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A MISSION AND VISION FOR THE FUTURE

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The vision for the symposium is a healthy planet earth that can sustain life, especially human life, in perpetuity.

The mission is to develop youth leadership for climate action and inspire every human being to participate in protecting the environment.

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SYMPOSIUM OBJECTIVES

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The symposium aims to address:

1. The need to encourage and maintain human behavior which is consistent with environmental conservation efforts.
2. Suggest and encourage actions which are supportive and sensitive to the preservation of life in general.
3. Support consumption and livelihood patterns which are sensitive, respective and supportive to the future generations.
4. Outline areas in which governments, academia and other stakeholders can engage in placing the concerns of the youth and children at the center of environmental conservation efforts. A possibility of a pilot program to inculcate youth and children into a culture that is sympathetic and sensitive to environmental conservation issues could form a part of the discussion. It will be a unique opportunity to share the knowledge, increase the awareness and deepen the discussion on climate change issues.

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DISCUSSION TOPICS

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Overall topics that will be discussed throughout the duration of the symposium include:

• Climate change and action - a global scenario
• Adapting to climate change - solutions and best practices
• Barriers to implementing climate change solutions
• Government policies and individual actions
• Education and corporate social responsibility
• Developing a climate action plan and charter of responsibilities

Sub-topics/Action areas

• Energy
• Biodiversity
• Water
• Diseases
• Food and agriculture
• Urbanization
• Resilient communities

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NEWSLETTERS

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Youth Leadership and Climate Action Newsletter Vol 1 - No 1

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