The climate crisis is a child rights crisis.
This guide, adapted from the Young Climate Activists in Latin American and the Caribbean toolkits, developed by young activists and UNICEF experts, explains the importance of protecting and respecting the rights of all people, in particular children and young people.
Does climate change impact you?
Climate change directly impacts your rights, like the right to food, clean air and water, education, healthcare, development and more.
Children are especially vulnerable as climate change threatens their ability to survive, grow and thrive.
How can you help to protect your rights?
Knowing your rights helps you to advocate for climate actions at all levels to promote, protect and guarantee these rights. All children also have specific rights set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Indigenous peoples are important groups for climate action
Indigenous peoples’ experiences adapting to ecological changes is essential for global climate actions. But climate change disproportionately affects indigenous peoples as it impacts the natural resources many rely on.
Their rights must be promoted and protected.
Climate actions must address global inequalities
Climate change disproportionately affects people that already experience discrimination, inequalities and marginalization.
That’s why factors like gender, race, ethnicity, geographic location, socioeconomic status and more must be considered to ensure the realisation of the rights for all.
You have the right to information and participation in climate action
1.Learn about the impacts of climate change on your rights
2. Ask for access to accurate and trustworthy information on climate change
3. Voice your opinion and hold governments accountable to climate actions
4. Participate in decision-making processes on climate actions
It’s your turn. Do you enjoy blogging, creating visual content or writing poems? You can share your thoughts on how climate change is impacting your community or how you are taking climate action. Submit your content through Voices of Youth following these steps.
💡 Looking for inspiration? Read some of the blogs and videos created by young climate activists here.
And check out our 'Climate Action, The Essentials' guide to understand and tackle climate change.
Illustrations and design by Mukah Ispahani, Sophia Paez and Blanca Quiñonez.
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