Next-Gen Voices Get a Chance to Be Heard
The next generation will inherit the climate crisis that previous generations have left them. Shouldn’t they at least have a seat at the table?
The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) believes they should. LCOY is an initiative led by YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations climate conference (officially the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC). LCOY boosts youth participation in climate action locally and creates engagement in international conferences, like the next UNFCCC conference, also known as COP28, that will take place next week in Dubai.
LCOY represents the national version of the international Conference of Youth (COY), which takes place before the Conference of Parties (COP), the annual UN Climate Change Conference. Three of our Blue Planet Global Ambassadors took part in the pre-COP LCOY conference in Washington, D.C., last month, playing an important role. The three — Muna, Helen, and Stacie — were a part of the organizing team, the Admissions Committee, and the Programs Working Group in addition to being a delegate. Here’s what they had to say about the conference:
“I loved collaborating with youth from across the nation in advocating for our planet. LCOY, as well as the National Youth Statement, represents our voices, goals, and aspirations for the future. It is founded on the necessity of taking action to save our planet — a sentiment shared by all of the delegates. I am thrilled that I joined and took part in protecting our planet!”
“The most impactful part of LCOY for me was being able to meet so many other organizers from states across the country. It felt empowering to know that, while I am fighting for climate justice in New York City, there are young people across the country doing the same thing at a local, national, and international level.”
“I really appreciated the inclusion of POC in the drafting process. Over the course of the weekend, I was able to collaborate with many delegates from front-line communities and marginalized groups. It allowed me to be more aware of the struggles they face that are often overlooked, especially in the indigenous communities. Without this inclusion, the draft wouldn’t have been as successful at addressing the major problems affecting these groups most directly impacted by climate change.”
Next week, when COP begins, there will be a lot at stake. The UN Member States that have signed onto the UNFCCC will assess progress in the climate change actions that are outlined in the treaty. This year, key agenda items up for discussion include: “loss and damage,” climate finance, just-energy transition partnerships, the global stocktake, adaptation/mitigation, and the threat on food systems.
And youth will also have an important contribution: At the end of the conference, a National Youth Statement will be drafted to be presented to the COP conference leaders.
