Today - June 29 - at the London Business & Climate Summit, Circle Economy and international consultancy Ecofys have called for a rapid transition to a global circular economy to meet the ambitious Paris climate agreement.
Governments Meet in Bonn to Take Forward Historic UN Paris Climate Agreement
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The latest round of UN climate change negotiations get underway on Monday with governments looking to the next steps needed to accelerate the implementation of the landmark Paris Climate Change Agreement and continue the unprecedented momentum forged in 2015. In order to ensure the aims and ambitions of the agreement, global greenhouse gas emissions will need to peak soon followed by quick reductions over the years ahead.
Female climate leaders honored by Earth Day Network
2016 Climate Leadership Gala night by Earth Day Network awarded two outstanding leaders on climate change: Mindy Lubber and Rachel Kyte.
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/MindyLubber">@MindyLubber</a> given <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Climate?src=hash">#Climate</a> Visionary Award at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateGala?src=hash">#ClimateGala</a>: "on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarthDay2016?src=hash">#EarthDay2016</a> we signed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisAgreement?src=hash">#ParisAgreement</a…; <a href="https://t.co/Z9rmV15AwX">pic.twitter.com/Z9rmV15AwX</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/730212244999577601">11 de maio de 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There is no lasting sustainability without justice. We are one <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Earth?src=hash">#Earth</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/DenisHayes">@DenisHayes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EarthDayNetwork">@EarthDayNetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateGala?src=hash">#ClimateGala</a> <a href="https://t.co/LEoV6EQzrZ">pic.twitter.com/LEoV6EQzrZ</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/730209611077292032">11 de maio de 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/rkyte365">@rkyte365</a> nominated Climate Leader 2016: "I'm just a small part of a grown movement" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateGala?src=hash">#ClimateGala</a> <a href="https://t.co/c5nT18NHLl">pic.twitter.com/c5nT18NHLl</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/730191885004886016">11 de maio de 2016</a></blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/C4C-Team-ClimateGala-with-Andrea-Braccialarghe-Building-Energy.jpg" style="width: 1000px; height: 562px;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Connect4Climate team with Andrea Braccialarghe, Building Energy, at the Climate Leadership Gala. Photo Credits: Teboho Edkins</em></p>
Climate Action Summit: Last day highlights
"It's not one thing that will change the world. It's people working together. Now go and change the world", emphasized Bill Nye, closing the Climate Action 2016 Summit.
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Everybody working together will solve this!" - <a href="https://twitter.com/BillNye">@BillNye</a> ends <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> w <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulPolman">@PaulPolman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNYouthEnvoy">@UNYouthEnvoy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ace">@ACE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/350">@350</a> <a href="https://t.co/CQ4VyTV8H0">pic.twitter.com/CQ4VyTV8H0</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728679515199770625">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We cannot waste any more time. We have to leave the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fossilfuels?src=hash">#fossilfuels</a> in the ground" - <a href="https://twitter.com/mayboeve">@mayboeve</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/350">@350</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZrHOTHx9R6">pic.twitter.com/ZrHOTHx9R6</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728675925420875782">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Just because you are young it does not mean you don't have a voice" - <a href="https://twitter.com/acespace">@acespace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/youth4climate?src=hash">#youth4climate</a> <a href="https://t.co/G8eVgZpGqm">pic.twitter.com/G8eVgZpGqm</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728672229165285377">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/GinaEPA">@GinaEPA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EPA">@EPA</a>: "The US will deliver!" in answer to energetic <a href="https://twitter.com/BillNye">@BillNye</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/gsRUQuuh8X">pic.twitter.com/gsRUQuuh8X</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728672679998435328">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At the Climate Action Summit in Washington, DC. Just trying to change the world is all... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climateaction?src=hash">#climateaction</a> <a href="https://t.co/A55ZM4Ewqr">pic.twitter.com/A55ZM4Ewqr</a></p>
— Bill Nye (@BillNye) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillNye/status/728614592885063680">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Together, we can solve the global challenge of climate change. Together, we can go far! <a href="https://t.co/JiPUMqliAF">pic.twitter.com/JiPUMqliAF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a><…;
— UN Foundation (@unfoundation) <a href="https://twitter.com/unfoundation/status/728606538311569408">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/TheGlobal_Brain">@TheGlobal_Brain</a> announces the establishment of a knowledge partnership w <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate">@Connect4Climate</a>. Ready 4 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/vvWoWh1r1b">pic.twitter.com/vvWoWh1r1b</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728670178901413893">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateChange?src=hash">#ClimateChange</a> affects us all. Is does not discriminate. You have to act now" - <a href="https://twitter.com/rkyte365">@rkyte365</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/aIyuOGxIWx">pic.twitter.com/aIyuOGxIWx</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728656948225298432">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KelloggCompany">@KelloggCompany</a> "<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Agriculture?src=hash">#Agriculture</a> accounts for 25% of global <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/carbon?src=hash">#carbon</a> emissions. We must help farmers" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/FpuacOOYYn">pic.twitter.com/FpuacOOYYn</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728594049653997569">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Climate change is an intergenerational injustice. Inspiring youths taking <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climateaction?src=hash">#climateaction</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AhmadAlhendawi">@AhmadAlhendawi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BillNye">@BillNye</a> <a href="https://t.co/lx4q6mKkgz">pic.twitter.com/lx4q6mKkgz</a></p>
— Paul Polman (@PaulPolman) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulPolman/status/728684556677713920">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Secretary Vilsack - We create tools for farmers at USDA to help them adapt to and mitigate climate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/F5hlSxq3FI">pic.twitter.com/F5hlSxq3FI</a></p>
— GEF (@theGEF) <a href="https://twitter.com/theGEF/status/728591498971910144">May 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Climate Action Interviews
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<p>Watch Connect4Climate's interviews with business leaders, governor representatives and civil society over the past two days at the Climate Action Summi's Peoples Haus digital media zone.</p>
<p>[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs5la0KKdeU]</p>
<p>See <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9R0MYGYsvksQFUZ_FrwKDTwUC23p--S… videos here</a>.</p>
Climate Action Summit: Day 1
The Paris Agreement was signed by more than 170 countries in New York City on Earth Day 2016. That historical moment was just the begginig of a path to implement ambitious climate action. What are the next steps?
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We need policy changes that will drive down the cost of renewable <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/energy?src=hash">#energy</a>. -<a href="https://twitter.com/JimKim_WBG">@JimKim_WBG</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/bguoxD3jUR">pic.twitter.com/bguoxD3jUR</a></p>
— World Bank (@WorldBank) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldBank/status/728219865702662147">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"No nation can walk alone. Together we can build the world we want for our children" <a href="https://twitter.com/UN_Spokesperson">@UN_Spokesperson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/GMral4MZ8j">pic.twitter.com/GMral4MZ8j</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728214667601051648">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalSegolene">@RoyalSegolene</a> "My goal is to ratify the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisAgreement?src=hash">#ParisAgreement</a…; before the end of 2016." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CA2016Summit">@CA2016Summit</a> <a href="https://t.co/bYimrAPbNx">pic.twitter.com/bYimrAPbNx</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728218665078935552">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We are going to win win this, but it does matter how long it will takes us to win" - <a href="https://twitter.com/algore">@algore</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/zOEl5YuRer">pic.twitter.com/zOEl5YuRer</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728324090008899584">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We have to explain ppl how serious it is. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Climatechange?src=hash">#Climatechange</a> is world's greatest threat" <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBloomberg">@MikeBloomberg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/PLvJD6JM8w">pic.twitter.com/PLvJD6JM8w</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728309597522542592">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Youth are immersed In sustainable development, because they're better prepared" - <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalSegolene">@RoyalSegolene</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a><a href="https://t.co/F6R2qJNRML">https://t.co/F6R2qJNRML</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728248854835924992">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"You will be the generation that will change politics. Young people can bring hope" <a href="https://twitter.com/HakimaElHaite">@HakimaElHaite</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Youth4Climate?src=hash">#Youth4Climate</a> <a href="https://t.co/mEqR7VqI8E">pic.twitter.com/mEqR7VqI8E</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728272959874449408">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Youth, this [<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climatechange?src=hash">#climatechange</a>] is your issue. Young people are the main actors" <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffDSachs">@JeffDSachs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/YHMc06ADIm">pic.twitter.com/YHMc06ADIm</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728264729022607361">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"The role of all civil society is to continue pressuring governments." <a href="https://twitter.com/lykketoft">@lykketoft</a> interviewed by us @ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/7qQfTf7qsH">pic.twitter.com/7qQfTf7qsH</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728301768405352448">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We need to be much more aggressive and invest in people." <a href="https://twitter.com/Kathleenedn">@Kathleenedn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EarthDayNetwork">@EarthDayNetwork</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/sVni82Aiio">pic.twitter.com/sVni82Aiio</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728254177583976448">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We have to make sure this generation will not loose the climate war" - Mayor Ahmeti, Kosovo at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/AHVcUoyD8t">pic.twitter.com/AHVcUoyD8t</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728295701977894912">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"We have committed to provide energy to 10M people that do not have energy until 2020" <a href="https://twitter.com/EnelGroup">@EnelGroup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/Za8W3JuFcH">pic.twitter.com/Za8W3JuFcH</a></p>
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate/status/728316394140504068">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="fr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/HakimaElHaite">@HakimaElHaite</a> avec l'équipe <a href="https://twitter.com/Connect4Climate">@Connect4Climate</a> prêts à <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/climatechange?src=hash">#climatechange</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash">#ClimateAction</a> <a href="https://t.co/1T4MnnjOZ1">pic.twitter.com/1T4MnnjOZ1</a></p>
— HElHaiteCop22 (@HElHaiteCop22) <a href="https://twitter.com/HElHaiteCop22/status/728335586893942788">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Take a look at our Flickr album
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<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/connect4climate/albums/72157667361189620&…; style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 20.0063px; text-align: center;" target="_blank" title="Climate Action Summit 2016"><img alt="Climate Action Summit 2016" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/26238387994_d82534069c_z.jpg" style="width: 800px; height: 530px;" /></a></p>
#Sport4Climate surfing in Brazil
Historic climate signing, for this and future generations
On Earth Day, history was written. Connect4Climate, the World Bank Group's global partnerhsip program, joined the world in celebrating the signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement at the United Nations.
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List of 175 Signatories to Paris Agreement
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<p>Check the complete list <a href="http://connect4climate.org/publication/list-175-signatories-paris-agree…; target="_blank">here.</a></p>
<p><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/images/China-signature.jpg" style="width: 1000px; height: 563px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="hei14" id="content">Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, signs the Paris Climate Change Agreement on behalf of China. Photo Credit: Leigh Vogel</span></span></p>
During the 2016 Opening for Signature of the Paris Agreement, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 22 April, 175 Parties (174 countries and the European Union) signed the Agreement, and 15 States deposited instruments of ratification.
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Historic climate signing, for this and future generations
Last week, on Earth Day, history was written. Connect4Climate, the World Bank Group's global partnerhsip program, joined the world in celebrating the signing of the Paris Climate Change Agreement at the United Nations.
John Kerry at Paris Climate Change Agreement Signing Ceremony. Photo Credit: Leigh Vogel
World leaders from 175 Parties (174 countries and the European Union) came together at the United Nations to sign up to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The signing ceremony far exceeded the historical record for first-day signatures to an international agreement.
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said: “Today is a remarkable, record-breaking day in the history of international cooperation on climate change and a sustainable future for billions of people alive today and those to come.”
On the day there were moving speeches and incredible scenes with US Secretary of State John Kerry signing the agreement with his granddaughter, young leaders expressing hope and optimism and Leonardo DiCaprio speaking bold words of wisdom in support of climate action (See his full speech here).
"This is the body that can do all it's needed. The world is watching you." @LeoDiCaprio #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/vYx1pZa6hy
— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) April 22, 2016
Along with the global leaders, 197 children representing the Parties that have adopted the Agreement joined. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged nations to listen to their youth.
“We need to listen to young people and keep the promises made in Paris,” said the Secretary-General.
Connect4Climate was excited not only to witness the important event, but also to add the youth voice in support of world leaders who signed the Paris Agreement.
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Victoria Barrett, Max Thabiso Edkins and John Rutherford Seydel at the UN. Photo Credit: Leigh Vogel
In the United Nations Digital Media Zone, we worked with youth activists including Xiuhtezcatl Martinez of Earth Guardians and Victoria Barrett, a 17-year-old Honduran-American with roots in the Garifuna Indigenous culture and Alliance for Climate Education Action Fellow.
“We need every young person on the planet to join hands with us, to build a better future, for my generation, for future generations to come, to tackle climate change,” emphasized Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.
Connect4Climate worked with Alliance for Climate Education youth reporters, who lead interviews with celebrities and leaders including Actor Forest Whitaker, United Nations Youth Envoy Ahmad Alhendawi, Mogens Lykketoft, President of the United Nations General Assembly, Achim Steiner, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, John Roome, Senior Director, Climate Change, World Bank Group, Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network, and Rosemary Kalapurakal from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Ahmad Alhendawi, United Nations Youth Envoy, highlighted: “Youth4Climate was a very important hashtag and movement leading up to create this momentum to get the Paris Agreement signed…We have to live in a more sustainable way and that is where I believe young people can continue this massive movement.”
Dinaz Kureishy interviews John Roome, Senior Director, Climate Change, World Bank Group. Photo Credit: Max Thabiso Edkins
Forest Whitaker praised the role of youth in addressing climate change, saying, “the smallest actions sometimes can create the tipping point for other actions to occur.”
Comparing the role of young people in the movement for liberation in South Africa, John Roome emphasized youth for social mobilization and political involvement: “It was young people who moved the political debate forward, by coming out on the streets, by demonstrating, by making their voices known.”
On the day, Connect4Climate also presented our Virtual Reality video, March4Earth, to several high-profile world leaders, including Gian Luca Galletti, the Italian Minister for Environment, Land and Sea. We also ran a selfie station for participants to share their passion and energy in support of climate action. The winners of #Photo4Climate Instagram Challenge were also exhibited in the Digital Media Zone.
Gian Luca Galletti, Italian Minister for Environment, Land and Sea, watches Virtual Reality film March4Earth. Photo Credit: Max Thabiso Edkins
On such a historic day we again reflect on the power of youth and we thank our #Youth4Climate partners for their great support. It was truly remarkable the passion and commitment young people present to leaders calling for the preservation of our world for this and future generations. Youth will continue to remind policy makers that they are likely the last generation who will be able to do something about climate change.
“I think it should be a thing, to have kids voices at the UN, because this is our future.” said Xiuhtezcatl Martinez in a Youth4Climate interview with Victoria Barrett
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