Latest news with #youthactivism
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
World Court's ruling opens the door wider for climate justice
In a unanimous decision, a 15-member bench of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague in the Netherlands ruled on July 23 that government failures to protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems from climate change could amount to breaches of international law. The court's non-binding ruling, which says that countries must comply with climate treaties, has been hailed as a great victory for youth activism from small island nations facing the brunt of the climate crisis. The triumph at the ICJ is the culmination of a unique university project started by a group of law students at the University of the South Pacific's law school in Vanuatu in 2019. Their lecturer set up an extracurricular activity, for which 27 students volunteered, to discuss the most productive legal actions Pacific Island countries could take under international law and design a plan of action for their governments. The students embarked on a campaign, eventually forming the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, determined to hold polluting nations accountable so they and their children would have a home to live in. They wanted to test whether international law could save them from the impacts of climate change. Their initial efforts focused on persuading the Pacific Island Forum – of which Australia and New Zealand are members – to take the issue to the world's top court. Undeterred by the lack of traction, the student group was eventually joined by the World's Youth for Climate Justice, which helped the campaign go global. Thanks to this campaign, in March 2023, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution supported by over 130 countries requesting that the ICJ give an advisory opinion that clarifies the obligations of countries under international law in respect of climate change. The ICJ has handed down a ruling that vindicates the efforts of young activists from the Pacific region and around the world. Rising sea levels threaten to cut off a road that runs along an atoll in Tuvalu. Photo: Kalinga Seneviratne Sera Sefeti, a University of the South Pacific journalism graduate who reported on the issue for Pasifika TV from The Hague, said climate change is 'a violation of our rights, our cultures and our very existence'. She added that the ruling exceeded the expectations of many Pacific youth.
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
World Court's ruling opens the door wider for climate justice
In a unanimous decision, a 15-member bench of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague in the Netherlands ruled on July 23 that government failures to protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems from climate change could amount to breaches of international law. The court's non-binding ruling, which says that countries must comply with climate treaties, has been hailed as a great victory for youth activism from small island nations facing the brunt of the climate crisis. The triumph at the ICJ is the culmination of a unique university project started by a group of law students at the University of the South Pacific's law school in Vanuatu in 2019. Their lecturer set up an extracurricular activity, for which 27 students volunteered, to discuss the most productive legal actions Pacific Island countries could take under international law and design a plan of action for their governments. The students embarked on a campaign, eventually forming the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, determined to hold polluting nations accountable so they and their children would have a home to live in. They wanted to test whether international law could save them from the impacts of climate change. Their initial efforts focused on persuading the Pacific Island Forum – of which Australia and New Zealand are members – to take the issue to the world's top court. Undeterred by the lack of traction, the student group was eventually joined by the World's Youth for Climate Justice, which helped the campaign go global. Thanks to this campaign, in March 2023, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution supported by over 130 countries requesting that the ICJ give an advisory opinion that clarifies the obligations of countries under international law in respect of climate change. The ICJ has handed down a ruling that vindicates the efforts of young activists from the Pacific region and around the world. Rising sea levels threaten to cut off a road that runs along an atoll in Tuvalu. Photo: Kalinga Seneviratne Sera Sefeti, a University of the South Pacific journalism graduate who reported on the issue for Pasifika TV from The Hague, said climate change is 'a violation of our rights, our cultures and our very existence'. She added that the ruling exceeded the expectations of many Pacific youth.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ignore climate change deniers, says TV naturalist Steve Backshall
A television wildlife presenter said climate change "is happening" and people should ignore politicians and public figures who think otherwise. Steve Backshall was speaking as a guest at the Youth Climate Conference at Suffolk One Sixth Form College in Ipswich on Tuesday, which gave 250 young people from across the county the opportunity to engage in conversations about the climate. Previous speakers at the event includes Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and activist Scarlett Westbrook. He said: "If you hear a politician or public figure trying to throw shade on the simple facts of climate change do not listen to another word they say in public ever again... it is happening." The event featured talks from the charity, Kids Against Plastic, workshops and advice from location environmental groups. Known for children's shows including Deadly 60, Backshall said it was a "great privilege" to share what he has experienced in his career, see how the planet is changing and feel a sense of hope. He said: "It's critical that someone in position recognises that climate anxiety is a real thing... especially for young people there is nothing that takes away your impetus to act, than just a sense it's all screwed and there's nothing we can do about it."People need to be empowered. They need to have a sense that they are important and the things they do can make a difference." Backshall said: "A young person who is energised, who has a purpose, who has a vision, who thinks they can make a massive change is the most exciting thing to be around on the planet."We hear endlessly about Greta Thunberg. Well there are tens of thousands of Greta Thunberg's in this nation along and 250 possible Greta's right here, sat right here today - the things they could achieve are boundless." The co-founder of Kids Against Plastic, Amy Meek, said young people play a "pivotal part" in tackling climate change and plastic pollution. She said: "Young people have this really infectious energy, especially kids who we often discount as being too young to really care about these issue... if we can mobilise that energy and that interest into actual positive action that can have a massive difference." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Washington Post
26-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Young leaders advancing potential climate solutions could win $1 million grants
NEW YORK — Youth-led climate groups are getting a $25 million injection from a philanthropic collaborative that hopes other funders will follow their lead in supporting solutions created by younger generations grappling with a future marked by increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. Despite recent upticks in donations to nonprofits combatting climate change, Enlight Foundation President Xin Liu said emerging leaders on the front lines of the crisis are not getting enough of that money. So, she and The Patchwork Collective are offering $1 million multi-year grants to 25 community organizations led by 15- to 35-year-olds.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Call for Submissions: Peace Palace awards 2025 Youth Carnegie Peace Prize
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the globe, young people are emerging as powerful agents of peace, driving change in their communities and beyond. To recognize and amplify their efforts, the Youth Carnegie Peace Prize will once again be awarded this fall at the Peace Palace – the international symbol of "Peace through Law." Now in its fourth edition, the prize celebrates inspiring young peacebuilders who are making a meaningful impact. Applications are open until 31 July 2025. Youth Carnegie Peace Prize "Young people are not only citizens with equal rights but also powerful agents for change whose voices must be fully heard," said António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. It is the younger generation that holds the key to shaping a more peaceful world. Every day, countless young people are already making a difference—often in challenging circumstances—by working toward positive change in their communities. To highlight and support these efforts, the Carnegie Foundation – Peace Palace and the Youth Peace Initiative have launched a video competition to showcase best practices from young peacebuilders around the world. Awarded biennially, the Youth Carnegie Peace Prize honors the inspiring work of young individuals in (post-)conflict settings. The prize not only offers recognition but also aims to motivate others to take action and launch their own peacebuilding initiatives. In December 2023, the international youth organization World's Youth for Climate Justice received the Youth Carnegie Peace Prize for its dedicated efforts to combat climate change through international law and its advocacy for climate justice. This year, the Prize will open up again, to once more select the most inspiring, creative and impactful initiative to become the 2025-2027 Youth Peace Ambassador. Call for Submissions The Youth Peace Initiative and the Carnegie Foundation are seeking young peacebuilders who are ready to represent youth voices and amplify their impact. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 29 are invited to submit a video explaining how their work or project contributes to peace. By sharing their stories, they can inspire others to become active agents of change. Videos must be submitted by 31 July 2025 via the Peace Palace website Award Ceremony at the Peace Palace The winner of the 2025 Youth Carnegie Peace Prize will be announced in the fall of 2025. The award will be presented during a festive ceremony at the Peace Palace, attended by distinguished guests including representatives of international organizations based in The Hague, international students, and members of the diplomatic corps. The event will also be livestreamed, allowing audiences around the world to join in and celebrate the achievements of young peacebuilders. The Peace Palace The Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, is the international icon for "Peace through Law" and opened its doors in 1913. Owned and managed by the Carnegie Foundation, the Peace Palace houses the United Nations International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague Academy of International Law, and the Peace Palace Library. Note for editors: More information: Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Carnegie Foundation - Peace Palace Sign in to access your portfolio
