UnicefUSA

Friend, the climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues faced by children today. Virtually all children globally are affected by climate change.

In areas of the world with high levels of climate risk, the likelihood of climate-related disasters poses serious risks to children. Flooding, cyclones, heat waves and dangerous levels of air pollution continue to rise, negatively impacting the lives and health of the world’s children.

But there is some good news: around the world, young people are advocating for climate resilience and finding innovative ways to respond and mobilize their peers, this Earth Day and everyday. UNICEF champions these youth activists and empowers their growth as they support their local communities.

How Young People Are Fighting the Climate Crisis. South Sudan

In South Sudan, where the changing climate has caused recurring flooding — in turn leading to crop destruction, disruptions to education and rising disease outbreaks — communities are working to find more sustainable solutions.

UNICEF Young Reporters like Nathaniel, Awan and Abuol are urging the government and partners to consider how they can build flood-resilient classrooms to keep students in school, ensure easy access to health supplies and address malnutrition caused by flooding’s impact on agriculture. UNICEF Young Reporters have also initiated a large-scale tree-planting campaign, helping to reduce the impacts of flooding in their local community.

In Kenya, young people like Grace are leading the movement towards more sustainable farming, using innovative techniques to help improve soil health, conserve water and increase crop yields. Through a UNICEF-supported program, she now teaches these techniques to over 130 farmers who are primarily women — helping to shift perceptions of agriculture and build climate resilience.

The climate crisis impacts us all. Our changing environment threatens food security and access to safe water, education and more. Today’s youth are taking action to respond to the global climate crisis, and UNICEF is committed to supporting them.

Prioritizing climate action today is essential in ensuring children’s futures are protected so they can grow and thrive for generations to come.

Thank you for supporting youth climate activists. Happy Earth Day!

UNICEF USA