The Scotsman

Don’t drop Young Climate Leaders

The Scottish Government must maintain its commitment­s to internatio­nalism and climate justice, writes Jade Stein

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In the past five years we have seen a monumental rise in youth climate action. saw 11-year-old Greta Thunberg protest outside her school in 2018. We then saw 14-year-old Alexandria Villasenor of the USA protest outside the UN headquarte­rs, every Friday. 15-year-old Lesein Mutunkei of Kenya planted a tree for every goal he scored. 13-year-old Aditya Mukarji of India campaigned for plastic alternativ­es within his local hospitalit­y sector.

The youth approach to climate action is global. It is united. Powerful.

It captures the globe's attention. Perhaps our hearts… “wow… even at their age, look at what they’re doing…”

Youth activism should not surprise us. Amid stan entirely unnatural, catastroph­ic climate emergency, the relationsh­ip between young activists and their ever-enduring passion to protect their planet, is entirely natural. This sense of urgency comes from a very real, valid place. It is the youngest members of our global citizenshi­p who ultimately have the most to bear through the climate emergency.

For the past four years, the Scottish Government has funded the Malawi Young Climate Leaders project, run by the Scottish-based 2050 Climate Group and our sister organisati­on in Malawi, the Malawi Scotland Partnershi­p. championed by ni cola sturgeon, the project exists to support climate ambitions, innovation­s and passions of young people in malawi. by building knowledge and skills, young leaders support their communitie­s towards a sustainabl­e, low-carbon and climate resilient future. The project has planted 14,000 trees since 2019, has engaged and worked with over 4,000 young people and provided training to 85 young people, focusing on afforestat­ion, waste management, awareness, advocacy, and innovation­s focusing on transition to clean energy.

Among them is David Samikwa who leads the 30- member strong, tik am be Youth Organisati­on, which focuses on the deforestat­ion crisis in their community in the Mwanza District. David and the organisati­on offer training in briquette and biogas production as a solution to excessive charcoal production and use.

What is perhaps most unique about the Malawi Young Climate Leaders project, is that participan­ts become not only climate leaders, but community leaders who educate and inspire. Just a few weeks ago, the Malawi Scotland Partnershi­p launched the ‘Climate Change Young Leaders Alumni Network ’. led by a national youth committee, networking, coordinati­on and action continues.

Launching the Malawi Young Climate Leaders project, the First Minister said: “The 2050 Climate Group and young leaders developmen­t programme do fantastic work empowering our young leaders to support the delivery of a just, low-carbon future. I am pleased that with Scottish Government support it is now possible to expand their efforts, to work in partnershi­p with young people in Malawi through the Malawi Scotland Partnershi­p on the need for global climate action.”

The Scottish Government-funded ‘COP26 Youth Hub’, in Lilongwe, saw a packed agenda, launched by the hugely successful‘ Earth Parade’ .Functionin­g as a COP 26 centre-point in Malawi, the hub was attended by 320 young climate activists who could respond live to COP26 events in Glasgow. The Scottish government is to be applauded for its far-sighted support for Scotland-malawi youth climate activism.

CS Lewis said “integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching ”. It is essential that Scotland maintains its commitment­s to internatio­nalism and climate justice, even when the global limelight of COP26 moves on. We are therefore extremely concerned at rumours that this funding may end, just months after being celwe

ebrated by the President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, and Deputy First Minister, johns win ney, during cop 26. Young leader chi fund oz in gun de said: “If the Scottish Government continue to support the project, there is so much that young people in Malawi will continue to do to fight for our world by doing more for our climate.”

Jade Stein, Media and Communicat­ions Officer, The Scotland Malawi Partnershi­p

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 ?? ?? 0 Participan­ts in the Malawi Young Climate Leaders project get their message across
0 Participan­ts in the Malawi Young Climate Leaders project get their message across

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