SDSN Youth Looking for Contributions to Thematic Paper on Climate Change

Youth, Peace & Security

Our thematic paper will investigate the impact of climate change on the security and development prospects of young people across the globe, as well as promote the case for youth-led development. We are currently conducting interviews to feed into the conclusions we will provide to the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Please reach out if you think you could contribute!

YUNGA Climate Change Badge in Now Available

The Climate Change Challenge Badge is designed to help children and young people understand the vital role our climate plays in supporting life on Earth and how our daily lives impact the Earth’s climate.

Most of all the Challenge Badge will help you better understand why climate change matters and motivate you to take action and become positive drivers of change in your communities and within international arenas.

What are you waiting for? It is time to start acting for climate! Find it online at: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5216e.pdf

Other languages will soon become available (including Spanish, Russian and Hungarian and others will follow shortly).

What is YUNGA?

Formed in 2009, the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance (YUNGA) is a partnership between United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and other entities that work with children and young people. YUNGA acts as a gateway for children and youth from around the world to participate in the activities and initiatives of the United Nations. YUNGA seeks to empower children and young people to have a greater role in society, raise awareness and become active agents of change. YUNGA aims to engage young people in activities of key environmental and social concern at both national and international levels.

More about YUNGA here: http://www.fao.org/yunga

What are the Challenge Badges?

Developed in collaboration with United Nations agencies, civil society and other organizations, YUNGA Challenge Badges aim to raise your awareness, educate and motivate you to change your behaviour and become an active agent of change in your local community. The series can be used by teachers in school classes as well as by youth leaders, especially Guide or Scout groups. Challenge Badge activities are both educational – and fun! More info about Challenge Badges here: http://www.fao.org/yunga/resources/challenge-badges/en/

COP21: How you can influence global leaders

UNA-USA is hosting a nationwide conference call next Tuesday to talk with young people about how they can influence global leaders at the upcoming Climate Conference in Paris. Join the call and learn about how GenUN/UNA-USA is engaging youth around COP21:

December 1, 5 p.m. ET

#EarthtoParis:

Briefing on the Historic Climate Convening

and Tips for Effective Advocacy

featuring

Ryan Hobert

Senior Director, Energy and Climate, United Nations Foundation

Click here to RSVP.

About Earth to Paris:

This December, world leaders are gathering in Paris for a landmark convening to complete a new global climate agreement – an extraordinary opportunity for the international community to rise to meet the threat of climate change. UN Foundation has launched #EarthtoParis to drive awareness and host events that highlight the connection between people and planet and the need for strong action on climate; to showcase climate solutions and innovations; to bring together communities to promote collaboration; and to engage people around the world in the dialogue taking place in Paris. Whether you’re in Paris, France or Paris, Texas, you can help to drive the conversation and advocate for strong climate action in December.

Join us for a conversation with Ryan Hobert, Senior Director, Energy and Climate, at the UN Foundation for an in-depth look at these once-in-a-generation climate negotiations and how to best advocate to tackle climate change.

Hashtags: #EarthtoParis #COP21

Check out the Earth to Paris website here: http://www.earthtoparis.org/

Quick info on Earth to Paris: http://www.earthtoparis.org/resources/EarthToParis-One-Pager.pdf

How is WAGGGS engaging COP21?

WAGGGS has several exciting steps you can take to get involved! Taking this conference call will get you thinking about how you can engage your leaders. Here are some concrete steps you can take to address climate change with world leaders through WAGGGS (whether you take the call or not!): https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/speak-out/cop21-united-nations-conference-climate-change/get-involved/

UN Climate Action Video Contest Deadline: August 17

The UN Envoy on Youth is giving away the opportunity to attend the upcoming climate conference COP 21, which will be held in Paris, France this December! Attending COP is an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the impact you and other youth have had on influencing climate change policies and actions. For more information about COP, please check out this website: http://www.cop21paris.org/

Below is from a press release from the UN Envoy on Youth, available here: http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2015/06/lights-camera-paris-win-way-cop21/ 

If you are between the ages of 18 and 30, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) wants to hear about your inspiring actions for Climate Change.

Think about a project or campaign you are involved in to combat climate change, an action which convinced your parents, school or college to take climate action, a lobbying of your elected members of parliament or your city leaders.

Whatever is making a difference, turn it into a snappy concise 3 minute video and join the competition.

Some key questions to answer are:
• Why did you choose to engage in this climate action?
• What were some of the key things that took place?
• What were some of the successes?
• Where did these successes occur (locally, nationally or internationally)?
• How can youth from similar countries replicate the activities that have been implemented?

The Prizes Each winner will receive:
• Round trip to COP21/CMP11 in Paris, France from 30 November to 11 December 2015 (inclusive of accommodation and other expenses); and
 • Position as a youth reporter for COP21/CMP11, responsible for assisting UNFCCC Newsroom team with videos, articles and social media posts. 

Deadline to submit your video: August 17, 2015

 Guidelines
 - You convinced your school, employer or local/national government to take climate action;
- You created formal/non-formal mechanisms/spaces that enable dialogue between young people and company or government representatives on climate action;
- You contributed to government approved documents or regulations that address climate change;
- You have shaped a government’s position at an intergovernmental meeting on climate change;
- You have prevented new fossil fuel infrastructure;
- You have engaged the media on climate change;
- You have organized a successful divestment campaign.

 To submit your video, and learn more about the Rules and Regulations click here.

 The Global Youth Video Competition is collaboration between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UNDP GEF-Small Grants Programme, the United Nations Joint Framework Initiative on Children, Youth, and Climate Change and Television for the Environment.

Celebrate World Environment Day: Pledge to do #OneLess

On June 5, World Environment Day will be kicking off--but what will you do to help protect our planet? The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) will be kicking off this celebration by asking girls to pledge to do one less thing in their life to reduce their environmental impact and share their pledge on social media using the hashtag #OneLess and #WED2015 (also be sure to tag @wagggs_world on Twitter!). 

What are some ideas that you can give up and make a difference? You can work with your troop to do an environment-related activity or badge (find a list here under "Use these resources") and, based off the activity, reflect on how you can make a lifestyle change that has impact. Not able to do it with your troop? Check out the EPA's student guide for global climate change, which gives some great suggestions on what you can do: http://www.epa.gov/climate/climatechange/kids/solutions/actions/index.html

After you've decided what difference you can make, write on a paper or dry erase board what you will you and share on social media (don't forget to include #OneLess #WED2015 @wagggs_world). Like this example:

In order to make real impact, everyone needs to be involved. Therefore, WAGGGS has also released a social media tool kit with other cool ideas on how you can spread the word about #OneLess and get your friends involved: http://www.wagggs.org/en/grab/25872/1/wed-2015-social-media-toolkit.pdf

Be sure to check out the WAGGGS page for other resources, more background info, and ideas here: http://www.wagggs.org/en/internationaldays/worldenvironmentday

Equator Prize in Sustainable Development: Nominations Due March 22

Do you know someone involved in sustainable development and climate change? The Equator Prize is looking for candidates for it's 2014 contest. Please check out their website for more info! Here are details from the webpage:

The Equator Prize 2014 will recognize twenty-five local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. Profiles of past Equator Prize winners can be found here.    

Equator Prize 2014 winners will each receive $5,000 (USD), with several selected for ‘special recognition’ and an additional $15,000 (USD). 

Representatives of winning communities will be supported to participate in a series of events held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for September 2014 in New York.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Equator Prize 2014, nominees must:

✔  Have been in operation for at least 3 years
✔  Be a community-based or local group, operating in a rural area
✔  Be located within a country receiving support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), excluding countries with a high level of development

Please review our eligibility requirements, selection criteria and FAQs for more information.

More details from and email we received:

The Equator Prize 2014 will honor twenty-five (25) local initiatives working to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems. 

This cycle of the award has the theme local climate action and special recognition will be awarded in:

o   Smallholder agriculture and food security

o   Forest management (including REDD+)

o   Sustainable land management

o   Ecosystem restoration

o   Sustainable energy

o   Water security

o   Disaster risk reduction

 

Nomination forms are available in 16 different languages here.  Nominations can be completed online here.

                                                                                                                                                                     

The deadline for nominations is March 22^nd, 2014.

Educational Resource: Two Minute Videos on Our Oceans

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has recently released a series of short two minute videos on ocean habitats. These short videos provide excellent information designed specifically for children, thanks to cartoonist Jim Toomey. According to a press release from UNEP, "Using animation and humor, the six videos in the Toomey series, provide in clear and simple language, information about cutting-edge science and policy issues regarding our oceans, their importance to human well-being and the challenges facing our oceans. They address a wide range of ocean topics including: blue carbon, the true value of our oceans, the impacts of climate change, as well as threats such as marine litter."

Check out the UNEP website here for the full list of videos and information.

Food Focus Event: Recap!

Girls look out at the view from the Dana Center

Recently, the World Assn of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) UN NYC Team hosted an event "Food Focus: Enough for Everyone!" to raise awareness about food waste. Over 30 Junior girls (grades 4-5) from the Girl Scouts of Greater New York attended the event, which was held on November 9 in the beautiful Dana Center in the north end of Central Park. Girls who participated in the event earned the WAGGGS Climate Challenge Badge (more info on the badge available here: http://www.wagggs.org/en/take_action/activities/climatechange). "Think, Eat, Save" t-shirts and youth magazines on food & the environment were provided by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) for all of the girls who attended the event. Oxfam provided informational booklets on food waste, paper place mats with food facts on them, and stickers for girls to take home. Special thank you to our youth volunteers from the Forever Green Leadership Team (more info on the team is available here: http://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/girls/Environmental-Leadership-Programs/forever-green).

Girls making their own compost bins to take home with them

Resources:

Video

 

"The Rotten Journey" by Wildlife Watch UK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jruwgDcK2C0
Discussion Questions on "The Rotten Journey"
1. What did the apple core eventually become? (soil)
2. How long does composting take? (many months)
3. What are some things you can compost? (apple, grass, paper, etc.)
4. What do you need to break down the items into soil? (oxygen, water, worms)
5. What were the benefits to composting? (benefits the plants)

"Food Wastage Footprint" by FAO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoCVrkcaH6Q
Questions on "Food Wastage Footprint"
1. What are some of the negatives of food waste? (wasted food, money, water, land, carbon emissions)
2. If food is not fit for humans, who could it be given to? (animals)
3. What are some other food waste solutions provided in the video? (adjusting prices of irregular shaped food, storing food, food portions, adjust sell by date)
4. What is the base of the food waste pyramid? (minimize landfill)
5. Who can play a role in reducing food waste? (producer, supermarket, household, restaurant, nation)

Girls watch the two short videos

Websites

Oxfam booklets that were distributed at the event are available online here: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/campaigns/food-justice/five-principles-for-feeding-the-planet

TUNZA, the youth component of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), has a website with information for children & youth to get involved in saving the environment: http://www.unep.org/tunza/

A girl presents the "advertisement" she made on composting

YUNGA, or the Youth & UN Global Alliance, has some great information and resources on climate change: http://yunga-youth.weebly.com/

The FAO, or the Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN, which was a co-sponsor of the Climate Change badge, has a ton of climate change information available here: http://www.fao.org/climatechange/youth/en/

Information on composting in New York City: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/compost/compostproj.shtml