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Bangladesh
Adnan Sirajee, National Coordinator, Bangladesh Youth Climate Network (BYCN)
LOCATED in the low-lying Ganges delta, bedded with the longest coastal belt in the south and most of the land being a little over 10 metres above sea level, the people of Bangladesh find themselves amidst all kind of geophysical events. The future of climate change, for that matter, the future of Bangladesh is closely intertwined with the fate of the youth.
Having said that, it is rewarding to see that youth movements like Youth Action on Climate (YAC), United Nations Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB), 1 degree initiatives, and many other unsung, unheard school and grassroots level initiatives have moved on to shape the role of youth in the country. We represent young minds of 50 million, who like all Bangladeshis, have extraordinary resilience and determination. The kind of innovative solutions and creative ideas that we can bring to the table when united is awe-inspiring. However, a fundamental question that one should ask is -- do we represent the entire population of youth?
Unfortunately despite our best interest, we are constrained by technological barriers, lack of awareness, communication and even opportunities to bring a change. It would not be an overstatement, to claim that we are still divided. But all of this is going to change. Because together we will overcome all the hurdles and once united, we will think more, know more and do more -- the tag line for the Voices of Rural Youth.
The South Asian declaration depicts a vision of a better tomorrow. It reminds us that, the youth of this region are united, it shows the commitment of youths to stride towards a common goal in a world that is divided with geographical barriers, political will and natural interests of diplomacy. And most importantly, it shows how people from different culture, religion and ethnicity, despite all differences can blend in as one and reach a consensus on what role should we play in climate debates across the world, and how the adaptation and mitigation schemes should revolve around our best interest. We hope that youth of today will assume a more substantive and constructive role in the climate change issues across the globe. This is just the beginning of a change. A change brought by the youth of this country.
Bhutan
Tshering Chuki Gyamtsho, National Coordinator, Bhutanese Youth Network for Climate Change (BYNCC)
BHUTAN with its fragile (mountain) ecosystem is very vulnerable to the threats posed by climate change, it has been a major concern in every aspect of life in Bhutan. Bhutan's climate has been warming over the years following which changes in temperature and precipitation with continued emission of green house gases will bring changes in land suitability and crop yields.
Bhutan is dependent on agriculture and we still import about 7,200 tons of rice from India every year. However, one of the primary goals of the country's food security policy is to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. The target in terms of self-sufficiency has been set at 70% of the total food requirement, which will be at threat due to climate change.
Glacier Lakes Outburst and floods, landslides, threats to biodiversity and land degradation are some of the major concerns in regards to climate change in Bhutan.
As of now, we do have the Young Volunteers in Action (Y-VIA) who are currently using the 3Rs and doing various cleaning campaigns. Every school in Bhutan also has a nature club. However, there is much more that needs to be done in creating awareness and educating the people on the threats of climate change.
On October 24, 2009, coinciding with the Global Day of Action, we would like to start the first Bhutanese Youth network for climate change. There is an immense need to define the role of Bhutanese youth in combating the ill effects of climate change as we all strongly believe that we are the future of our country and we have a lot more at stake.
Sri Lanka
Vositha Wijenayake, National Coordinator, Sri Lankan Youth Climate Network (SYCN)
ON the 23rd of November 1993 Sri Lanka ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and as a response to the commitment to this ratification the country submitted its initial National Communication in October. This could be deemed as an effort to outline the country's effort in addressing the impacts of climate change and strategies, to mitigate and adapt to climate change within a broader framework of sustainable development.
However one of the problems faced today in this combat is the limited availability of specific research studies in the field of climate change. Thus the need for such research remains immediate and this lacuna is one that the Sri Lanka Youth Climate Action Network wishes to address working in collaboration with other organisations which share the same ideals such as the South Asia Biodiversity Vigilance Network (SABViN) and Beyond Borders.
As another step in the venture for effectively combating climate change, Sri Lanka discussing the country's vision on climate change on the 17th of September with the participation of different organisations and specialists on the subject. This is envisaged to serve the purpose of coming to a country strategy leading to the COP - 15
On our part the Sri Lanka Youth Network for Climate Change hopes to coordinate and create among different youth organisations and institutions that work on climate change a communication process which would facilitate those who share a common goal to rally up in fighting a common enemy which is Climate Change. And in this venture the knowledge and the experience gained through the participation at SAYSOCC immensely helped us in broadening our horizons. It taught us that we can unite putting aside out differences which are mere superficialities when facing an immense threat to the whole of humanity as the adverse effects of Climate Change.
India
Chaitanya Kumar, National Coordinator, Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN)
THE ever mounting crisis of Climate Change is a manifestation of the very inequity that causes it. The source of the problem will be the least affected while the rest suffer the most by its immediate effects. South Asian countries, especially India, are amongst the poorest and the most densely populated in the world with a development model that is unprepared for the impending dangers of Global Warming.
There is a definite need for immediate action but it depends on the principle of 'polluter pays', a phrase whose modalities are still being discussed at international negotiations on climate change. While it happens a simultaneous groundswell of opinion needs to be built amongst the young and the old across the world. The South Asian voice is vital in this debate and thereby the voice of youth in these countries becomes even more important. As the inheritors of the problem, the youth needs to be better engaged in the solution process through the negotiations.
Youth movements are slowly building across countries of the world to raise awareness and create a challenge to the existent norms that are polluting and aggravating the problem. For a fast developing country like India with 70% of the population below the age of 35, climate change worsens the existing social inequity. To bridge that gap, policies that incorporate the challenges of CC and adaptation to it are needed. For a young India, people from all walks of life need to be sensitized and equipped with the knowhow on the steps individuals can take to limit the problem.
Nepal
Rishikesh Ram Bhandary, National Coordinator, Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA)
NEPAL is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Livelihoods hinge on the precarious balance of nature. Furthermore, the effects of climate change are already being felt through accelerated glacial melts and irregularity of the monsoons.
As essential stakeholders in the climate change challenge, Nepali youth have risen up. Whether it be through awareness programmes or through providing input to the policy process, Nepali youth have been active. Nepalese Youth for Climate Action (NYCA) is a network of individuals, organizations and other partners, all working on climate change.
In an attempt to reach the grassroots across Nepal, NYCA is going to hold regional climate camps in Nepal's five development regions. NYCA will continue to work very closely with schools and colleges to spread awareness on climate change and encourage people to come up with local solutions. Special efforts will be made to broaden the base of climate activists in Nepal. NYCA will continue to encourage strong involvement of youth in policy making, both nationally and in international negotiations.
Pakistan
Marina Ahmed, National Coordinator, Pakistan Youth Climate Network (PYCN)
PAKISTAN'S greatest challenge is, undoubtedly, the lack of awareness regarding the issue of climate change. The practical consequences of climate change, daunting as they are, do not hit home. Moreover, the masses, like any developing countries', are primarily concerned with the basics of survival, like food. Concepts like 'climate change' are not only hard to comprehend, but seem unlikely and unrealistic in their actualization. Spreading more knowledge and emphasizing the effect of climate change on everyone's life individually, hence becomes fundamental to Pakistan's movement.
The Pakistani youth is, as of recently, beginning to realize the duty of care society owes to the environment. In the larger cities, especially, the movement is gathering force, as in Lahore, where an organization, “Zimmedar Shehri” [Responsible Citizens] organizes clean-up programs regularly, or in Islamabad, where Pakistan Youth Climate Network (PYCN) has recently been founded. The nation is now gearing up, as a whole, to raise their voices against climate change, especially by planning a unified action for the International Day of Climate Action. October 24, 2009 must signify more than just another day commemorating an airy-fairy cause -- it must signify the rising of the South Asian people in a movement to protect their land, their cultural heritage, their history and most of all, to protect vulnerable communities who have not this privilege of speech.
Maldives
Aishath Niyaz, National Coordinator, Maldives Youth Climate Network (MYCN)
MALDIVES, home to roughly 300,000 people, is a nation consisting of 1190 tiny coral islands. It is also one of the most vulnerable places in the face of climate change because more than 80% of the land is less than 1 metre above mean sea level. The protective coral reefs surrounding the islands are highly susceptible to changes in sea surface temperatures as even a 1°C increase will have catastrophic results: coral mortality, which leads to the disappearance of the country's natural defense system, the primary source of food (fish) and the main economic resources (tourism and fisheries). Furthermore, if sea level continues to rise, the Maldivians face the threat of becoming climate refugees, while the country itself faces extinction.
Maldives has been at the forefront calling for global action against climate change, and was the first country to sign the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, it has also taken a lot of action at national level, such as setting the ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2020.
Maldives will be participating in the International Day of Climate Action on 24th October 2009. Various actions are being organised by NGOs in collaboration with the government in which Maldivian youth are actively involved. They include an underwater demonstration by 350 divers with the hope to raise conscience of people in those countries who have caused the most damage that healthy coral reefs are vital not only for the fish for their existence but also for many people. There will also be an exhibition hosting 350 photographs, which then will be crafted as postcards and sent to 350 world leaders who will decide the fate of the Maldives in Copenhagen this December.
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