Climate Kiwis Take the Lead

After their participation in the UNICEF Children’s Climate Forum in Copenhagen last December, the five UNICEF NZ ‘Climate Kiwis’ are more inspired than ever. They have made lasting friendships with youth from around the world, many of whom are already feeling the effects of climate change. After the outcome of the COP 15 negotiations, they continue to work hard to ensure that today’s youth have a voice in the major decisions that will have such a serious impact on their generation. 

Abby, Erana, Phoebe, Rick and Travis are all working as UNICEF Climate Ambassadors throughout 2010 . Even though three of the group have started University this year and others have significant school exams, they have all remained very active on environmental issues. 

Now Travis Mills has been selected to attend a major UNICEF-supported, international conference called ‘Let’s Take Care of the Planet’ in Brazil next month. He will take what he learned in Copenhagen and together with 600 other young people from more than 60 countries, will discuss environmental issues with a focus on climate change. All five Climate Kiwis have been involved in preparations for the conference by organising local youth consultations. The results will feed into an Aotearoa New Zealand national youth statement to be presented at the Brazil conference, and will in turn, contribute to an international youth charter. The Climate Kiwis  attended national consultations last weekend in Raglan, before Travis heads off to Brazil. 

In March, all five Climate Kiwis were WWF Earth Hour Ambassadors, joining the call to switch off. They created a DVD sharing what they learnt in Copenhagen and urging young people to take action against climate change, and also find the time to contribute to a weekly blog on TV3’s website. Rick has also been selected as one of the New Zealand Youth Delegation to the COP 16 in Mexico later this year.

If this is how hard today’s young people work, I have renewed hope in the future!