Youths in the country have challenged the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP29) Summit to be held from 11th -22nd November to focus on climate crises Malawi experiences and help them on ways to adapt, cope and find solutions to these climate induced disasters.
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A climate change youth activist Micheal who was part of the Malawi delegation to last year’s COP in Dubai, recalled that the meeting discussed on the need to invest in young people arguing now is the time to hold duty bearers to account and if there isn’t anything they’re doing, there is still need to remind them.
The youngster also challenged developed countries to assist developing ones with financial support for them adapt to climate change related crises.
He is of the view that the youth and children should be part of the climate decision making processes and bemoaned the little investments made for young people.
According to him, he has not seen any investments in young children, innovations that focus on them in regards to climate change despite the fact that most of them are suffering from impacts of climate induced shocks.
“When we are coming to climate change decision making processes, it pains me in my heart because most of the funds are allocated into meetings, into allowances not allocated in conquering those consequences, those risks that have been happening with climate change crises.
“This generation that we’re raising, is the one that will be implementing the visions of different countries. So for this generation to implement climate action that fight against climate change; it needs for them to voice out on the need to invest in young children’s innovations because we cannot be just advocating, we need also to be implementing action on the ground”
He hailed the COP28 platform which empowered him to do more and come with a common goal in combating climate change and coming up with innovations.
The 16 year-old indicated that their innovations need support for them to be sustained and to make progress.
Another activist Faith, said she was really inspired by the exchange of experiences at the COP 28 as the exposure gave her ideas of doing activism and bringing about the desired change.
She further learnt to do her own movements using few resources and wants a better environment and conditions for children to realize their dreams.
The form four student envisions herself in other people’s shoes and puts herself in that situation where properties, food are being washed away and the trauma they go through.
“We children are really facing a lot due to climate change so that was my driving power to bringing the passion in me to start moving forward to climate justice and lobbying for the help in bringing a friendly environment of climate injustices and crises in Malawi.
“The passion inside me and with the course that I wanna study at the University with my activism, they do a linkage while I understand that the activism that I’m doing is part of my career and the studies that I’m doing are driving it for me to become what Iam”
Asked how she manages her activities so that they don’t stand in the way of her education, Faith indicated that during holidays, the focus is on activisms while at night she studies and allocating some five hours for summer school as she prepares for the Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations.
The 16 year-old who comes from an all-girl family of four hailed her parents for the support rendered to her.
She further lamented that when natural calamities and disasters strike, despite donations distributed by well-wishers, not all of children have access to them.
“We find out that schools are being destroyed, they’re being rebuilt, inadequate learning materials which came following climate crises, but then those things yes they have been given but are inadequate since they are not reaching out to all children here in Malawi.”
