Empowering youth voices: Climate Fresk workshop with YOUNGO at SB60

Written by Joy and Elise van Breda
Published on: June 27, 2024

We (Elise van Breda and Joy van Breda) had the unique opportunity to facilitate a Climate Fresk workshop during the Bonn climate conference for our fellow youth constituency members from YOUNGO. This inspiring session brought together a diverse group of young people to discuss the latest climate science from the IPCC and share their experiences and innovative ideas. We have seen first hand that a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change helps participants focus their efforts more effectively and empowers them. This is important because it can feel very discouraging to see an alarming lack of urgency and political leadership — particularly among rich countries — in addressing the climate emergency.

Addressing climate change demands a comprehensive understanding of its interplay with other Earth system processes and its systemic risks. However, our experiences at COP28 and SB60 revealed a concerning gap: despite their impressive backgrounds in public policy, economics, or environmental issues, many decision-makers lack a deep understanding of climate science and the complex challenges facing human and planetary systems. This deeper understanding of climate science is not just beneficial but essential for making informed decisions and developing effective solutions.

Key decision-makers often spend days debating unambitious draft decision texts or choosing workshops to attend to guide their decisions on mitigation, adaptation, and finance. Are these workshops enough to make them fully understand what is at stake, whose lives and livelihoods are on the line, and the real-life implications of their decisions? The current slow pace of decision-making and implementation starkly contrasts with the rapid climatic changes occurring in the real world, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the current approach.

We value these conferences for their potential to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, provided that the host country’s border and visa rules do not limit Global South participation. This diversity is crucial for effective decision-making, as individuals from various backgrounds and generations bring unique knowledge, insights, and solutions that can help shape more robust and equitable climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

While there is potential, significant gaps remain in policy development and implementation, including key voices, such as youth, Indigenous peoples, and local communities. Let’s bridge these gaps and ensure all perspectives are brought to the negotiation tables. We kindly ask all COP29 attendees to participate in a Climate Fresk workshop that boosts climate literacy and creates a safe space for sharing lived stories and innovative ideas. We are more than happy to facilitate!

Thank you, Stephanie Cabovianco, for co-hosting!

Joy and Elise van Breda

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