Let’s Lower Our Carbon Footprint

In 2009, Mohamed Axam Maumoon– a UNICEF Youth Climate Ambassador from the Maldives- addressed the climate change meeting in Copenhagen (video). He described how his country is slowly being overtaken by rapidly rising seas. “Every day, meter after meter of land washes out to sea, sometimes plucking out houses with people still in them,” said Mohamed, now 17.

He also called for governments to act now. “We are late, but not too late…trust me, the best time to act is now," Mohamed Axam Maumoon.

According to a World Bank report: Development and Climate Change, launched in 2009 before the Copenhagen meeting, the planet will continue to warm up in the next couple of years, and because of this, extreme events such as droughts, floods and forest fires will become more frequent. Unfortunately, millions living in island countries, i.e Maldives, will lose their homes as the sea level rises.

Mohamed and many other young people living in island countries are likely to see their country disappear before their eyes, due to climate change.

What is the world doing about this situation?

This year, world leaders, international organizations and civil society groups are meeting in Durban, South Africa, from November 28 to December 9, to try to reach a global agreement on slowing climate change.

Since 1995, The United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC have met every year to evaluate progress in dealing with climate change.

Their goal is to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2020 and avoid a rise in world temperatures of more than 2°C over pre-industrial times.

Island countries like Mohamed’s Maldives are most vulnerable. "Since the future is for our children, you must first think about this: How old will your children be in 2050? Or will they be lucky to survive this dying earth?” asks Mohamed.

Why should young people care?

Young people today are aware of the need to protect the environment. Climate change is high on their agenda. They are right to be concerned. Young people are aware of the devastating consequences of Climate change and that there is a need to act t decisively on this.

Young people are the best hope to address these challenges, because they will inherit this earth. They are an untapped resource with the power to effect change and reduce the carbon footprint.

This year, for the Durban meetings, young people from all regions organized “The African Youth Climate Justice Caravan” initiative, which will bring together more than 100 young environmentalists and climate change advocates. The journey started in Nairobi, and continued to Kenya,Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and will end in Durban on November 28. The caravan brought a number of activities to each country, such as climate change films, concerts and workshops to raise awareness, mobilize support, share with government officials, and discuss positive and innovative ways for youth to engage on the topic of climate change.

There are also other youth-led initiatives like Youth Climate, and The African Youth Initiative on Climate Change.

Small steps, big impact

We can all lend a hand by lowering the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) each one of us emits. Here are a few ways you can help reduce such emissions:

• Start walking or riding a bike. This produces no CO2 at all!
• Unplug your electric devices when you are not using them. This will also help you save money on your utility bill, as well as reduce CO2 emissions.
• Take showers instead of baths – showers produce less CO2 because they use less energy to heat the water.
• Help out by planting trees – as trees grow, they help stop global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing it as carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

There is so much one can do. Take a look at the UNEP's guide to get more ideas on how you can join the fight to save Mohamed’s and other young people’s future --  and the world.

Photo credit: Yinka Adeparusi: The Unsung Polluter on water, Lagos, Nigeria  (Connect4Climate, photo submission).