Below is today’s panel discussion with three youth and three adult representatives of countries that have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, and specifically the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action which does not include the U.S. (on either convention). Only 26 countries have signed on to the Declaration.
Mediated by Mary Robinson, past president of Ireland, this is a critical video to listen to more than once. Youth are asking to be involved from the beginning when their countries develop the actions to decarbonize and prevent deadly warming. The panel also emphasized the need to include climate education as part of school children’s curricula which Mexico has already accomplished. The U.S. must recognize the rights of children and in substantive ways, include youth in climate planning.
Susan Feathers 