Engaging with COP26 and climate activism as a young person
Luisa discusses her experiences as a young person in engaging with COP26.
Image by Stenbocki maja, Flickr. Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0)
What is COP26?
COP26 is the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference. The conference will be held in Glasgow this year from 31st October and 12th November and every single country, nation and state will be attending. The conference had to be postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COP26 has seen extensive media coverage throughout 2021 with scientists and academics, in particular, having high hopes regarding its outcomes.
My experience engaging with COP26 as a teenager
I first heard about COP26 through various media outlets at the beginning of this year. I was keen to learn more about the event, and why it was that I had only heard of COP21 previously. I knew that at COP21 the Paris Agreement was established. This was a great milestone in the battle against climate change, where every country involved in COP21 pledged to work together to limit global warming by making a number of commitments. These included striving towards achieving carbon neutrality, developed countries providing financial assistance to lower income countries as ‘climate finance’ is a necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I wondered if there was any way that I could involve myself in COP26, if not directly, then indirectly.
After some initial research, I came across Surfers Against Sewage. Their website advertised positions to join the charity virtually on World Ocean Day. Successful applicants would spend the day creating a youth ocean and climate manifesto which would then be shared with leaders ahead of the COP26 event. Excited about this extraordinary opportunity, I set to work on my application, and two-weeks later, I was delighted to receive an e-mail congratulating me on a successful application and a link to join the virtual meeting.
After what seemed like a long wait, World Ocean Day finally arrived. The event was well-planned with lively discussions and debates taking place throughout the day in small breakout rooms. All participants came away feeling hopeful and inspired. Our Youth Ocean and Climate Manifesto, which was crafted at this event, has now been published.
In addition to this, during the summer, I joined a newly created group by The Lancashire Wildlife Trust called ‘Wilder Youth’ which led to the opportunity to be involved in the creation of another youth manifesto. This made a change to my usual involvement with The Lancashire Wildlife Trust, which sees me in my wellies and with secateurs helping to maintain Summerseat Nature Reserve. This manifesto was created through the joint efforts of The Lancashire and Scottish Wildlife Trusts, who will also be presenting the manifesto at the COP26 conference. Focusing predominantly on the climate and biodiversity crises, this particular manifesto looks at nature-based solutions to these problems.
The Wilder Youth meeting highlighted that young people had many concerns linked to the climate crisis, with both local and global issues on the forefront of people’s minds. We discussed a range of issues from sea level rise, decreased biodiversity, habitat loss, and local flooding resulting from storms. These issues affected us all individually; emotionally, physically, or financially. Many of us shared a feeling of frustration, as we are relying on older generations to start acting now. Some felt great uncertainty about their futures and the future of the planet. However, when discussing COP26 there was a greater shared feeling of hope, providing we seek action and not just talk about commitments. We need to ensure that we stick to the proposed agenda even when the media have lost interest.
This manifesto isn’t yet published. But do keep an eye out for the published manifesto on the approach to COP26.
Attendance to COP26 is limited to politicians, leaders, members of the press, and organisation represenatives. Due to this, young peoples’ voices are silenced at COP, and similar large events where key decisions are made. This is why youth manifestos are so valuable - they remind attendees of the presence of younger generations and what we think should be prioritised. Ultimately, it will be young people who will have to face the consequences of decisions that are made now at this COP26 event. The leaders of tomorrow are the young people of today, it is important to hear our voices and opinions now.
Being able to contribute to these manifestos has been a highly rewarding experience. Attending these events, I was so inspired and proud to hear other young people speaking up for the planet. Being in their company gave me the confidence to speak-up and put my thoughts across.
Rise in youth movements
Recently we have seen a significant rise in the youth climate movement. Prominent speakers such as Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future group have pushed key things onto the agenda. These include keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, ensuring climate justice and equity and that action is taken following the latest scientific advice. This combined pressure has pushed climate action forward within the UNFCCC – the United Nations body that is running the COP.
Image by Martin von Creytz, Fridays for Future in Munich, Flickr. Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Conference of Youth (COY) will be taking place the weekend before COP26. This will involve thousands of young people from 140 different countries, who will create a policy document. This event will provide attendees with pitching, fundraising, event management, youth mobilisation and public speaking skills. This is important because these are the skills that the younger generations will require if we are going to see successful action to mitigate climate change.
Young people from all around the world are joining together through conferences, manifestos and activism movements to fight for and protect our planet from reaching the irreversible damage and tipping points that will happen, if we do not limit global warming to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Scientists have known and published information on climate change and the destructive effects on the environment for the past 194 years, including some extremely detailed and factual papers as far back as the 1890’s. As a young person, I sincerely hope that this is the year that we listen to the science, and take urgent action upon the current climate crisis.
More Information
Surfers Against Sewage Youth Climate and Ocean Manifesto - pledge your support.
Luisa Kate Shield
Luisa is a first year Geography and Ecology student at Lancaster University, she has always had a passion for the environment. She enjoys volunteering with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust where she is involved in conservation and campaigning.
In her spare time Luisa enjoys birding as well as participating in cross country and long- distance running events with her local running club.
You can follow Luisa on Instagram @luisa.environment or on Twitter @LuisaKShield