Wednesday 03-11-2021 - 14:13

6 years 226 days 3hrs 17mins 52 seconds brightly projected on Tolbooth steeple in the centre of Glasgow ushering in the biggest Climate change conference, COP 26, reminding us that the time for Climate Change action is now.  

As a young individual from a Global South country living in a Global North Country, I constantly find myself at odds on how/what I can do to contribute to this fight and does what I even do at the moment make a difference?

I had the opportunity to represent Glasgow Caledonian University at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth on 30 October.

This is a space for young people to prepare for their participation at COP through capacity building and policy training.

It also comes with the opportunity of meeting delegates from all over the world, renowned speakers and climate change partners with discussion topics that ranged from agriculture, water and food to climate justice, human rights and wellbeing.

There was lots to pick from and loads to learn from. From every session I attended and every conversation I engaged in, it was clear that the youth need to be loud and bold about their climate activism, using their voices to demand for more from our governments, have more sustainable lifestyle choices and amplify indigenous voices particularly those from the Global South who are just as much affected by climate change but do not have the resources to combat the effects.

Where do we move on from here was my through after the fantastic day of great debate and discussion? How do I avoid performative activism and use my voice in a meaningful way?

Although I still don’t have an answer for these questions or an easy solution, it is clear that the time is now and it’s time to use our voices to get it done. 

 

Tabitha Nyariki
VP SHLS