Action on climate change is more than a need

by Tim Mugerwa - President of the African Youth Union

Basic needs are commonly known as food, shelter and clothing, but did you know that as much as they are important, we can forego them for some days? You can delay having lunch or even the three meals a day and have them the next day. Shelter is important but you can still choose to forego it for a night and nothing happens. For clothing I do not have to tell you that some people up to now, do not wear them and in modern society they’re becoming too short to serve their purpose. But did you know that now there’s something we cannot afford to delay, compromise, or even forego? By doing so, we’re condemning ourselves to grave repercussions.

Acting on climate change is such a necessity in the 21st century. Our inaction is costing us lives, biodiversity, risking our economies and, most importantly, risking the lives of future generations. What shall we tell our descendants when they ask us where we were while the ecosystem was deteriorating? We should be able to respond that we did all in our power to save it; we should be able to show the trees we planted; point out the endangered species we saved; the wetlands and other creatures we conserved and the policies we facilitated, formulated and lobbied.

On the 23rd of September 2014, a UN Climate Summit will take place in New York. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, has invited world leaders from government, finance, business and civil society to galvanize and catalyze climate action. He has requested bold announcements and actions that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015. What an opportune moment for the Summit to occur! But what does this mean for us? The UN Summit provides us with a real opportunity to add our voices and join hands to ensure that we mitigate the harmful effects of climate change.

Millions of people across the world are mobilizing to host events that are going to shape the course of history. On the 21st of September, New York will experience the world’s biggest protest ever. Many events around the world have been staged; children, youth, adults, women and men are calling on their leaders to make eco-friendly decisions and commit themselves. Individuals, groups and communities are taking bold actions to ensure their descendants inherit a healthier and safer climate. Each of us can do something to save the only planet we all call home.

The UN Climate Summit, people’s global mobilization and individual initiatives have one thing in common: They are all demanding action on climate change but they cannot do it alone, they need everyone’s support. The climate change crisis can be defeated if all of us stand together as one. STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Tim Mugerwa

President and Researcher: African Youth Union

Read more about Tim and his view on being a futurist

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