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The Spectator
International Hamilton Student Attends Second Governors' Global Climate Summit
by Yinghan Ding '12Science & Technology Writer
November 06, 2009
"I want to protect my coastal community from sea level rise."
"I want a bustling and green economy."
"I want to use cleaner, greener and recycled products."
These were several things young climate change activists had on their minds at the Governors' Global Climate Summit 2, which was held in Los Angeles from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2. The Summit brought together world and industry leaders and provided them with the opportunity to talk about global climate issues. This year's Summit was of great importance because it set the stage for the COP 15 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Copenhagen next month.
As a young climate change activist, I served as the only youth representative for China to attend this important climate summit held in Los Angeles. I was one of the eight panelists at the only youth panel of the conference—"Youth Leadership & Education: Influencing Change Today and Tomorrow." Our discussion was focused on how to leverage youth activism and increase understanding of climate change across the globe. As we all know, today's youth will be directly impacted by the current decisions made by world leaders. Knowing that, the younger generation is are actively engaged in the climate change discussion and are positioning themselves at the forefront of future environmental policies. That was one of the most important reasons why we got together in Los Angeles from all over the world—we want the voices of young people to be heard by global leaders.
We were a very diverse group of panelists: four of us were international students (from China, Nepal, Brazil, and Kenya), and the other four Californian: one high school student, two undergraduate college students, two graduate school students, and the other three working in their own businesses. Because of the diversity in nationality and age of the panelists, we were able to bring sub-national and cross-age perspectives on what pre-teens, college students and youth oriented programs and businesses can do to elevate the importance of taking immediate action to curb the impacts of climate change around the world. We also discussed challenges, present and future solutions and perspectives on sustainable behaviors for a greener future.
The panel was moderated by Beth Stevens, senior vice president of environmental affairs of the Walt Disney Company and chaired by Dr. Hinrich Eylers, dean of the college of natural sciences at University of Phoenix. "As we all know, climate change has already affected our lives and the places we live, and it has the potential of dramatically impact the future generations as well," said Dr. Eylers during his opening remarks. "That is why the decisions we make today are critically important to all of you and all future generations, who will inherit the consequences of these decisions."
Jason Bade is a Stanford student who formed the Green Youth Alliance, an organization that connects environmentally-inclined high school students from around the world with an ideas-exchange and support network. "The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones," said Jason. "Now we are at fossil fuel age, so think about that." We emit a large amount of CO2 from the use of fossil fuel, so the way to solve this problem is to find a greener, better and more efficient energy, such as solar energy.
"Mahatma Gandhi once said that when making a decision, contemplate the poorest, most destitute person you have ever seen in your life and ask, will this decision I am about to make change this person's life for the better? If it doesn't, you don't do it," said Michel Cox, the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Calvert Foundation, who is working to increase equity investment in social enterprises. "If the U.S. Congress and world leaders in Copenhagen will follow this advice, we'd have much different climate legislation and a much different global treaty."
Margaret Koli is from Kenya and is currently working as a youth ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program where she advises the UNEP on how to better engage youth in environmental activities. "My little thing to tackle climate change is to plant trees, which is such a simple activity," said Koli during her closing remarks. "It could also be switching off the light, or separating your garbage for recycling. So for you, what is your little thing to tackle climate change?"
"The earth does not have a problem. We have a problem," said Rangel Arthur de Almeida Mohedano, who is Coordinator of the Youth and Environment Program in the General Coordination on Environmental Education at the Brazil Ministry of Education. "We have to create solutions internally. I hope that in our generation, young people can realize that."
Bhuwan K. C. is a development studies graduate from Kathmandu University. He has represented Nepal in various international forums and networks including the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), where he serves as an executive member. "We all know that human beings can create a lot of things, such as money, Disneyland and light bulbs, but I definitely don't think we can create a new world," said Bhuwan K. C. "So it's the time to protect our world. We don't want to be the stupid people who destroy it."
Finally, I want to introduce myself a little bit. I am a British Council Climate Champion for China, where I participated in the Climate Cool project. This involved taking an experimental study course on climate change in my high school. I have formed a small group called the SEED (Solar Energy Efficiency Declaration) and have worked extensively to expand public awareness of climate change in China. To do this, I have shared my experiences with the British Council Climate champion program with the community, campus and the media.
I also participated in the "Green Journey," organized by British Council China in July, 2008, during which I worked together with other national champions to spread messages of climate change in several major cities in China. I participated in the "Green Your School Competition," where I convened a group to collect public feedback about the use of solar energy.
I have also worked to increase public awareness through an environmental blog and working with fellow classmates to encourage the use of cloth bags by holding a cloth bag design competition, then passing them out at a nearby subway station. "First, they ignore you. Then, they laugh at you. After that, they fight you. In the end, you win." This was the closing remark I made at the end of the panel. "If you keep on trying, you will succeed in the end. Don't let others steal your dream. Follow your own course, and let people talk!"
The famous American novelist Pearl S. Buck once said, "The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation." With all the little things each of us do each day to tackle climate change, we can make a difference. So, what is your little thing to tackle climate change today?