Climate Change Resilience
By Makereta Komai, PACNEWS Editor amplifying the Pacific voice in Paris
2 December 2015, Paris, France, COP21 - Travelling over thousands of miles from the Majuro to Paris, 20 year old AJ Alik has one simple message for world leaders at COP21 'save my islands - 1.5 to survive.'
Alik is among 80 young people from around the world demonstrating outside the hallways of the negotiating rooms to bring to the attention of world leaders their aspirations and demands for the Paris Agreement.
Representing the 'Jo Jikum' youth group from the capital, Majuro, Alik said he wants young people from other parts of the world to know that his people including young people are already suffering as a result of climate change.
"I want them to realise that we are feeling the impacts of climate change right now. It's not something that we are assuming will happen in the future.
"I am here to add my voice to other young people from other parts of the world to tell world leaders not to spoil our future.
Alik said, 'we are future leaders and we need to be involved in whatever negotiations and decisions that will come out of Paris. We will be the ones responsible for the future of planet earth.'
In a show of support for calls of 1.5 degrees cap in global temperature rise by small and vulnerable island states, the young people broke into chants of '1.5 to stay alive' and CVF (Climate Vulnerable Forum), follow their lead.'
Young people say 100 percent renewables by 2050 is one of the many options available to countries to address the impacts of climate change.
The demonstration was organised by YOUNGO and other global NGOs accredited for COP21 trying to amplify the voices of youth in the global climate talks here in Paris. - #4PacIslands
2 December 2015, Paris, France, COP21 - Travelling over thousands of miles from the Majuro to Paris, 20 year old AJ Alik has one simple message for world leaders at COP21 'save my islands - 1.5 to survive.'
Alik is among 80 young people from around the world demonstrating outside the hallways of the negotiating rooms to bring to the attention of world leaders their aspirations and demands for the Paris Agreement.
Representing the 'Jo Jikum' youth group from the capital, Majuro, Alik said he wants young people from other parts of the world to know that his people including young people are already suffering as a result of climate change.
"I want them to realise that we are feeling the impacts of climate change right now. It's not something that we are assuming will happen in the future.
"I am here to add my voice to other young people from other parts of the world to tell world leaders not to spoil our future.
Alik said, 'we are future leaders and we need to be involved in whatever negotiations and decisions that will come out of Paris. We will be the ones responsible for the future of planet earth.'
Young people say 100 percent renewables by 2050 is one of the many options available to countries to address the impacts of climate change.
The demonstration was organised by YOUNGO and other global NGOs accredited for COP21 trying to amplify the voices of youth in the global climate talks here in Paris. - #4PacIslands