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CLIMATE MARCH



Welcome curious minds! I thought that as a youth representative, I should highlight the recent news regarding climate change. If you don’t already know, youth from all age groups have taken their frustrations on to the streets in over 100 countries worldwide. 



Their main concerns were regarding the lack of action by their respective government leaders towards mitigating and adapting to climate change despite the Paris agreement being in place. It is quite obvious why these kids are frustrated, climate change is as evident as it has ever been. Every region of the world has its own array of climatic changes destroying ecosystems, driving species extinction and affecting human livelihoods. There is a reason why the youth from around the world were forced to stand up because there has not ever been a time where we were all faced with such a life-threatening situation. 

Image courtesy: Jennifer Creery from HKFP (Hong Kong news outlet)

We have to acknowledge that there are many world leaders that are putting their efforts to deal with climate change but it is also mainly as a result of the Paris Agreement. Luckily this is not an age where the leaders have the power of knowledge and expertise over youth or the general. It is very easy to be informed and research the truth, leaders cannot lie to us any longer. I believe, the Global Youth Climate march which took place on the 15th of March is a prime example of the power youth has over the lies that are being knitted by the politicians and spread through media. 

Image courtesy: Getty Images (Students protesting in the United Kingdom)

The strangest thing to me as an observer and an environmentalist is the notion that even with the drastic weather changes occurring across the globe. Notably the loss of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia as a result of ocean acidification caused by increasing sea temperatures. Heat waves spanning across Asia. Unprecedented winter records in the West. Even with evidence in front of our eyes, it's amazing how people can deny the truth. It is not even ignorance at this point, it’s actually selfishness. 

This type of mentality has cost us most of our coral reefs, polar bears are fighting for survival, farmers in all Asian countries are losing their livelihoods due to unpredictable climate variations. People need to realise that climate change is not something specific but rather an intrinsic issue that should be dealt with all the different aspects it encompasses.  

The time has come, it is now or never.  Only time will tell the severity of climate change on the survival of humankind. Let’s be on the right side of change, try our best to limit climate change and ensure the survival of the species on this planet for future generations. 


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