“Our future is in your hands, show true leadership”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 3, 2007
ATTENTION: News Editors, Political, Energy and Environmental Reporters
CONTACT:
Richard Graves (USA) – Richard.Graves@sustainus.org
Rosa Kouri (CA) – Rosa.Kouri@cydbali.org
Bali Phone #: 81-337- 949-749
Youth from around the world have set an example for their leaders at the Bali climate negotiations this week, reaching out and joining with hundreds of young people from across the globe at the 3rd International Conference of Youth. They were united in calling for real cooperation and strong climate leadership from their governments.
“We have met with young people from across the world,” said 24-year-old Australian spokesperson Amanda McKenzie, “and we all agree – our leaders need to take much stronger action to protect our future.”
“This weekend’s youth conference has shown that the world’s young people are willing and able to cooperate, and we urge our leaders to do the same.” Youth leaders from North America, Australia, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific converged on Bali in an effort to get world leaders to cooperate in protecting their future.
In light of last month’s IPCC Fourth Assessment Report, which presented a dire prediction of climate impacts, these young people – aged from 16 to 26 – have every reason to be concerned about their future.
“Young people have a critical, but underrepresented voice in building the future they must live in. World leaders should follow the lead of young people and act together to secure a livable future for their children.” said Richard Graves, 25, a US youth representative.
Earlier this year, Catherine Gauthier, 18, said before the UN High level meeting on Climate Change in September, “Young people have no vested interests or historical baggage – we just want a safe future.” Youth leaders hope that world leaders heed her call and work towards a mandate for a strong global climate agreement.
The 3rd International Conference of Youth was organised by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, SustainUS, and Solar Generation.
For dispatches from the Youth Delegations, visit: http://www.ItsGettingHotinHere.org
For dispatches from the UN Climate Negotiations, visit Bali Buzz: http://www.unfcccbali.com
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BALI BUZZ - dispatches from the UN Climate Conference 
April 3, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Ghana National Youth Coalition on Climate Change
Introduction
Climate change on international agenda is starting to receive the very highest attention that it merits. It has become one of the major issue of discussion among the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations and dialogue between developed and developing countries have already begun.
Scientist have affirmed the warming of the climate system and linked it to human activities. This is justified by the increase in the average surface temperature by about 0.6 C.
Development is about expanding human potential and enlarging human freedom. It is about people developing the capabilities that empower them to make choices that they value most.
Climate change threatens to erode human freedoms and limit choice. It calls into question the enlightment principle that human progress will make the future look better than the past.
The early warning signs are already visible for everybody to see. In most developing countries, millions of the world’s poorest people are already being forced to cope with the impacts of climate change. These impacts do not register as apocalyptic events in the full glare of world media attention. They go unnoticed in financial markets and in the measurement of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, increased exposure to drought, to more intense storms, to floods and environmental stress is holding back efforts of the world’s poor to build a better life for themselves and their children.
The starting point for avoiding dangerous climate change is recognition of three distinctive features of the problem. The first feature is the combined force of inertia and cumulative outcomes of climate change. Once emitted. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for a long time.
There are no rewind buttons for running down stocks. People living at the start of the 22nd Century will live with consequences of our emissions just as we are living with the consequences of emissions since the industrial revolution.
For instance for the first half of this 21st Century the world in general, especially the poor will have to live with climate change to which are already committed.
The fourth assessment review of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has established an overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is both real and man-made.
In the last three decades, about 22 countries in Africa have been affected by flood and 1.5 million people have been displaced, whilst at least 300 people have been killed.
The Secretary General of the United Nations in his special contribution in the 2007/08 Human Development Report acknowledged that “we are beginning to see these catastrophes (of climate change) unfold. As sea levels rise and tropical storms gather in intensity, millions of people face displacement. Dryland inhabitants, some of the most vulnerable on our planet, have to cope with more frequent and more sustained droughts. And as glaciers retreat, water supplies are being put at risk”.
Ghana’s Situation
Ghana is part of this pending global disaster. Unfortunately it has not been given the needed attention in country to mitigate its impact in the future. Very rare do we hear of any discussion on climate change by the leadership of this country.
Currently Ghana does not have any policy direction or framework in addressing climate change.
The consistent human activities in the industrial areas, emission of greenhouse gases, bush fires, felling of trees and the discovery of oil which will lead to the sitting of oil companies puts Ghana in a more dangerous position in the coming years.
The recent flood that hit the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Western Regions in September 2007 revealed the nations vulnerability. The following were the statistics that were recorded by the Ministry of Interior with regards to the flood;
Number of deaths – 56
Number Displaced – 331,360
Houses Destroyed – 34,919
Roads Damaged – 655
Farmlands Destroyed – 46,851
Dams & Bridges Destroyed – 140
The economic, health and social cost of this flood was so enormous that donor agencies, philanthropist and companies had to come in to support the victims.
There exist a gap between scientific evidence of what is happening and political actions.
Climate change is a challenge that needs to be addressed now to reduce the risk it poses to a developing country like Ghana, especially the future generation. The future generation of this country stands directly in harm’s way and they have the least resources to cope.
ISSUES
ACTIVITIES
PARTNERS
Responsible
TIME
Review of awareness level
A Survey (Citizen’s score card)
International Students
Local authorities/groups
Media Houses
General Public
Mobile Phone Service Provider
Civic Society Organizations
Monitoring and evaluating the progress of the
Training/capacity building at the grass root level
International Students
Local authorities/groups
Corrective / Strengthening Programmes
Awareness through the media (Radio, TV, Articles, jingles)
Life walk
Drama
Sports & Games
Media Houses
General Public
Mobile Phone Service Provider
Civic Society Organizations
Documentation
-Documentary
-Leaflets
-Toolkits
Compilation and production killer facts!
Circulation of Documents
Media Houses
Printing
Mobile Phone Service Provider
Awareness creation
Education on Climate Change
Media houses
Training
Planting of trees along riverbanks
October 28, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Thanks for writing this.