Ahead of COP29, youth sound off on why we need to take climate action seriously

Did you know that the United Nations Climate Change COP29 kicks off this week in Baku, Azerbaijan? This important event convenes delegates from around the world for two weeks of intense collaboration and innovation to tackle the climate crisis – one of the most pressing issues affecting children and youth today. And this year, we’re making sure they have a seat at the table.

ChildFund country representatives and youth delegates from around the world are engaging at high-level climate action forums for the first time this year, including COP29 and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Conference (COP16) in Riyadh this December. Our goal: to utilize our deep experience in locally led, child-focused programs to influence climate policy decisions and financing, ensuring that children are not left behind in the decisions that will affect their future.

We sat down with some of the incredible young people from ChildFund’s programs around the world who are traveling with us to Baku this week for COP29, as well as some who will join us for COP16. Read on to learn more about how they became advocates for children in their communities, why climate action is so important to them and what we can all do to help amplify youth voices.

Meet our youth climate action heroes

Abdourahmane, 18, from Senegal is a “calm, hardworking person who likes a challenge” and dreams of one day becoming a neurosurgeon. He currently serves as the president of a youth-led child protection network through ChildFund Senegal. When he’s not at school, Abdourahmane loves reading and going to the library. He also enjoys leading advocacy meetings and community activities on reproductive health.

Pedro, 21, from Brazil is an agronomy student at UNILAB (University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony) with a deep passion for agroecology and sustainable production. In his free time, he enjoys playing the flute, reading Gothic books and riding his bike. His mission? “To live in a world where, at least minimally, people see themselves as an integral part of a common body that is biodiversity.”

Philipa, 17, from Sierra Leone is an activist, debater and public speaker currently serving as the president of the Children’s Forum Network, the umbrella organization for all children under the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in Sierra Leone. Philipa is also the child climate ambassador for ChildFund Sierra Leone. A member of the Sherbro tribe, she currently attends Foruah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where she is pursuing a degree in political science. “I love talking and advocacy, which always gave me the platform to express my feelings and pass on relevant information,” Philipa says.

Arosha, 17, from Sri Lanka is a student, activist and athlete who loves exploring the outdoors. He often takes part in community activities and enjoys helping out at events that bring people together. At school, Arosh’s favorite subjects are science and geophysics because he’s “fascinated by how things work and learning about our planet's history.” In the future, he hopes to continue his education in environmental science and travel to different countries to learn about their approaches to sustainability.

Yedidya, 19, from Ethiopia finished high school this past summer and hopes to attend college this year to work on a degree in business. He loves studying English and history, playing guitar and participating in media activities at school. He is especially excited to travel to COP 29 to “share so many experiences with youth from other countries and learn what they think about climate action in their region.”

Simeon, 20, from Kenya is a youth climate champion from the indigenous Maasai community. Growing up, he developed a deep connection to his natural environment and the rich history of his people. His favorite subjects in school were geography and history, as they helped him understand the relationship between the natural world and our diverse communities. He enjoys socializing with different kinds of people and hopes to become a global leader in climate action.

Fadhilah, or “Dhila,” 28, from Indonesia works as a sponsorship relations officer for ChildFund Indonesia. Her passion for social work began during her university years, when she spent weekends teaching children who lived on the streets and supporting children with cancer. During university breaks, Dhila joined projects focused on the environment, health and entrepreneurship, often alongside international exchange participants. Working with children in our programs, she has seen the impact of climate change on children firsthand. Dhila is passionate about involving children in climate action because “it’s children and youth who will live longer and experience the ongoing climate crisis.”

ChildFund: Tell us the story of how you came to be a child advocate for climate action.

Arosha: Growing up in Puttalam, Sri Lanka, I've seen firsthand how climate change impacts my community. As an agricultural area, we heavily rely on seasonal rains for our crops, but with rising temperatures and unpredictable weather, droughts and floods are becoming more common. These changes are making it difficult for local farmers to maintain their crops, which directly affects both our food supply and livelihoods. Beyond agriculture, living in a dry zone, we face frequent water shortages during droughts, which disrupt daily life and health. I became aware that these challenges are not isolated; they’re part of a larger global problem.

When I joined the Nature Lovers Team Relax Youth Club, I found a group of like-minded people who cared deeply about the environment. Through ChildFund’s support, I began working on climate-related projects and campaigns, which involved educating my peers and community on climate issues and sustainable practices. Over time, I saw that by coming together, we could not only raise awareness but also take real action – such as planting trees and cleaning up our mangroves, which help protect against flooding and erosion.

Becoming a child advocate was a gradual journey of seeing problems in my community, understanding their root causes, and realizing that youth have a powerful role in creating change. By sharing my story and inspiring other young people, I hope to make a larger impact on addressing climate issues both locally and globally.

Simeon: My journey as a child advocate began when I witnessed the impacts of climate change firsthand. As a child, I cherished the beauty of our forests and the biodiversity around us. However, as droughts became more frequent, I saw these landscapes deteriorate. I realized that children today would not experience the same joy and connection to nature that I did. They would experience more harm as a result of the droughts, among many other impacts. This realization ignited my passion to advocate for climate action and to ensure that future generations can enjoy a healthy environment.

Philipa: Many people view climate change as a natural event caused by God, while some view it as the influence of science. Others view it as the effect of man’s activities in society. There is an urgency which most people don’t understand about climate change. In general, awareness needs to increase to change the mentality of people across the world.

My passion for climate change developed in 2017 after heavy rainfall triggered devastating mudslides in Freetown, Sierra Leone. As a patriotic citizen, I grieved for the loss in my country. Lives were lost, properties were destroyed, and families, including children, were displaced, left homeless and without hope for the future. Since then, I have been dreaming to have a platform to advocate for children and young people on climate related issues. As a member of the Children’s Forum Network in Sierra Leone, I once read a poem about climate change during ChildFund activities. Then in 2023, I was chosen by ChildFund to represent children in Kenya during the Africa Climate Summit/Children Climate Summit. It was a dream come true. One thing I will forever remember is ChildFund Sierra Leone supporting me to go to Kenya, creating the platform for me to read the declaration statement in front of African leaders on behalf of African children.

How does climate change affect the community where you live?

Pedro: As an agronomy student, I have a lot of contact with the countryside in Brazil, and I can notice the difference in production and hear the difficulties of farmers in the communities I visit – difficulties such as soil desertification and scarcity of water resources due to deforestation.

For example, the water in the reservoir next to my grandmother's house runs out more quickly now that there are no riparian forests. But the most notable consequence is the temperature in the semi-arid region where I live. This, combined with the poor management that some producers adopt, has caused low soil humidity and a clear loss in productivity.

Arosha: In Puttalam, Sri Lanka, climate change has had a significant impact on our community, particularly because it is an agricultural area where people rely heavily on farming for their livelihoods. One of the main effects is an increase in extreme weather conditions. Droughts and floods have become more frequent, affecting crop yields and reducing harvests.

Since we live in a dry zone, long droughts are common, leading to severe water shortages, which impact both farming and daily life. Additionally, rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall disrupt planting cycles, further lowering productivity and adding financial strain on families dependent on farming.

Climate change also threatens our region's rich biodiversity. Higher temperatures and weather extremes damage the delicate ecosystems around Puttalam's mangroves, lagoons and beaches. For example, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion are now more severe, affecting fish populations and marine life that local communities depend on for income and food.

Yedidya: As you all know, the Ethiopian economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, primarily subsistence farming. Changing rainfall patterns and increased temperatures have led to frequent droughts, causing food prices to rise. Communities that are dependent on natural resources, like those in Ethiopia, are economically vulnerable to climate shifts.

Abdourahmane: Most people are unaware that one of the main causes of climate change is human activity, and that changing the way we do things could help to mitigate the effects of climate change. In Senegal, flooding is destroying houses, fields and crops, as well as public infrastructure such as schools and health centers.

How does climate change affect children and youth?

Simeon: Children and youth are on the front lines of climate change impacts. While adults often discuss climate change in abstract terms, it’s children who bear the brunt of its effects, facing malnutrition, mental health challenges and disruptions in education. It’s crucial to view children as vital stakeholders in driving action, rather than just beneficiaries of initiatives. Climate change is often being approached as a global issue, but we forget that its impacts are felt most by the most vulnerable local groups. Hence, we must use a bottoms-up approach in addressing this problem.

Philipa: In Sierra Leone, many families are displaced, still living in camps because of the 2017 mudslide. Children and youth who lost their parents are deprived of that parental love. In addition, food insecurity is increasing nowadays. Children and youth are the most vulnerable because if they go to bed without eating, they can experience stunted growth, malnutrition and early death.

Climate change affects education, too. Education is paramount in our generation, and everyone must be involved without leaving anyone behind. But climate change has resulted in families’ migration to other areas, increasing their risk of poverty and illiteracy. Due to these effects, children are often unable to continue their schooling in areas like the Kroobay, Congo town, and some other areas of Freetown.

Finally, climate change affects children’s mental health. Mental health is gradually becoming a topic of interest, yet often people seem to forget and try to escape such discussions. Children and youth experience trauma after losing their loved ones to floods, droughts, illnesses, etc. The mudslide of 2017 is a clear example of how some children and youth continue to suffer from their trauma today. Many are now addicted to drugs like kush and living on the street, increasing their risk of teen pregnancy and early marriage.

Fadhilah: Children and youth are among the groups most directly affected by climate change. When people talk about climate change, it’s children and youth who will live longer and experience the ongoing climate crisis. This affects their access to clean water, unpredictable weather, droughts, ability to attend school, air quality, health, exposure to natural disasters and more. Many aspects of climate change will impact the future of children and youth. Addressing climate change is impossible without their involvement.

Do you think people from your community have any local knowledge about how to mitigate climate risks? If so, how can governments harness this knowledge?

Simeon: Absolutely. My community has valuable local knowledge about sustainable land management and traditional practices that promote resilience. For instance, historically, migration and distribution of cattle to different clan members and relatives in faraway places was one way the Maasai community became more resilient to the threat of droughts. The observation of clouds, wind behavior, flowering or growth of leaves in some plants, and the movement of certain species of birds was also an indigenous way to predict rainfall patterns. Even having specific indigenous experts observe the intestines of animals such as goats and sheep served as a useful way to predict future weather patterns. Governments can harness this knowledge by involving local communities in policymaking and integrating indigenous practices into national strategies for climate resilience.

Pedro: In all communities, everyone is starting to understand that it is necessary to conserve the soil and reduce the use of pesticides, as people can now feel the environmental and social impact of these actions. But in the traditional, indigenous and quilomboloas communities in Brazil, people have a relationship of belonging with nature. They share ancestral knowledge of preserving nature in the agro-production process, and this knowledge can and should be combined with scientific knowledge in environmental education, in schools and in other places in communities.

Yedidya: In local Ethiopian communities, especially in rural areas, there are many long-practiced indigenous methods of mitigating climate risks. These methods are deeply rooted in the local environmental knowledge, agricultural practices and water management systems that have evolved over centuries. The Ethiopian government, recognizing the value of this local knowledge, has worked to integrate it into broader climate adaptation strategies.

What are some of the most important actions that we can take to fight climate change?

Abdourahmane: Climate change is more serious than we think. It’s not just that temperatures are changing, but that climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events and impacts on biodiversity, even causing heavy flooding. Understanding its seriousness is crucial, because it requires collective action and solutions to mitigate its effects.

Fadhilah: In my opinion, there are four key elements needed to take action and combat climate change: capacity building, research, climate finance and partnerships.

Research is very important so that we can base our work on local, national and international conditions. At the community level, capacity building is essential because we cannot tackle climate change alone; we need people to work together.

At the national and international levels, partnerships and increased climate finance are crucial for fostering global cooperation. Additionally, it is important to recognize that much of the impact of climate change is driven by the business practices of large companies. They must be involved in climate action and contribute to partnerships and climate finance.

Arosha: At the individual level, we can adopt sustainable lifestyles, advocate and educate others. At the community level, we should promote community-led initiatives that support the environment, and at the national and international level, governments should invest in climate-smart solutions, like clean energy and building climate resilience.

Some people say that children and youth should not lead when it comes to social change. What do you say to these people?

Pedro: There is nothing to say to these people. Young people have the capacity to be leaders – that's a fact – so saying they don’t doesn't do anything. Despite what anyone says, young people continue to be leaders in the fight against climate change.

Yedidya: It’s important to recognize the value of the voices of children and youth in social change. Change often comes from those who are willing to challenge the status quo, and youth have historically played a crucial role in many social movements.

Simeon: I believe that children and youth have unique perspectives and experiences that are crucial in addressing social change. We are the ones who will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions, and our voices should be at the forefront of the conversation. Engaging youth in leadership roles not only empowers us but also enriches the solutions we develop to combat climate change.

Abdourahmane: A country like Senegal, where over 60% of the population is young, shows that young people play an important role. What's more, they are the leaders and citizens of tomorrow, so it's essential that they get involved now to shape a better world. Young people often have a unique and valuable perspective on social issues, climate change and other important questions.

Fadhilah: You cannot make a significant difference by trying to change adults who have lived for a long time; their behavior, mindset and practices have been shaped over many years. However, if you want to achieve lasting change by transforming mindsets and fostering good behaviors, then let's work with children and youth. The best approach is to develop understanding and knowledge and to influence systems among children and youth, as they are the ones who will live longer and can serve as peer educators within their communities. This practice will help shape a better future for everyone.

What are you most hoping to share with the attendees at the conference? What are you most hoping to learn?

Abdourahmane: Going to COP16 will be an opportunity for me to make my peers' voices heard. It's a big responsibility, and I'm excited by the idea of sharing stories and experiences that illustrate the effects of climate change on young people.

Arosha: At COP29, I’m most hoping to share stories from the youth in my community and the real impacts we’re already experiencing due to climate change. By talking about our struggles, resilience and actions taken at the local level, I want to show how young people are stepping up, even with limited resources, to protect our environment and advocate for change. It’s important to convey that our lives are directly affected—through things like disruptions to education, health risks and the stress of uncertain futures—and that youth around the world are looking for leaders to act decisively.

I’m also eager to share ideas for involving more youth in climate decision-making processes. In Sri Lanka, for instance, community-based projects, school awareness programs and collaborations with organizations have been powerful in mobilizing young people. I hope to inspire others to adopt similar approaches, showing that youth engagement can drive meaningful change and encourage collective climate action.

What I’m most hoping to learn is how other countries and communities are responding to climate change, particularly successful strategies and policies that are proving effective. I’m especially interested in learning about approaches to climate adaptation that are both community-driven and innovative, as well as hearing about challenges that other young advocates are facing in their advocacy journeys. Meeting youth from around the world who share a similar mission will help me gain fresh perspectives and find ways we can collaborate across borders.

Ultimately, I want to leave the conference feeling more informed, inspired and empowered, with new ideas to bring back to my community and a network of allies to continue this important work with ChildFund.

Yedidya: I am so excited to travel to COP16 and represent children and advocate for climate action. I’m thinking about meeting youth from another countries, learning how they feel about climate action in their regions. I will also share my side of the story – how the community is trying to address climate change, rising global temperatures and more. I hope it will be a great and fruitful time.

Fadhilah: I am absolutely excited to travel for COP16. I previously participated in the Regional Conference of Youth for the Asia-Pacific Region, which was a new experience for me. Gathering with other youth from various countries who share the same passion was incredible; everyone brought their understanding, knowledge and expertise about climate change, creating a high-level discussion that was both accessible and inspiring. However, through this experience, I realized that while there’s a lot of talk about youth, there’s a lack of involvement from children.

As a child-focused organization, we need to speak up more about the importance of children’s involvement, especially in ACE (Action for Climate Empowerment) – particularly in climate literacy. This is an area where ChildFund has expertise, and we must raise awareness of the pivotal role children play in combating climate change and preserving the environment. Early education for children about the importance of environmental preservation is needed, as well as knowledge about biodiversity, and the mitigation and adaptation strategies they can incorporate into their daily lives and surroundings.