On October 11, as our Climate and Environment intern at UNICEF Malaysia, I took over the UNICEF Instagram and Facebook story section to share my experience at the Youth Climate Adaptation Forum (YCAF).
The YCAF aims to inspire and empower Malaysian youths to act on climate adaptation and resilience-building efforts. It featured three panel discussions on sustainable cities, biodiversity, food security, climate justice, awareness, and education— all vital topics for our collective future.
Reflecting on key messages conveyed in the forum, here are my 5 takeaways to inspire continuous action and optimism in this climate battle for youths.
★ Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late or that you’re too small to take action! Such comments are meant to disempower you and dilute your visibility as a resisting voice to ignorance and delayed climate action. Join a community, find your voice, and dance your revolution.
★ Don’t stop believing in climate optimism! While climate anxiety is a very true and valid emotion, we should not be immobilized by it. Thinking optimistically about our presence in caring for the planet and people shifts the way we talk about climate change, painting ourselves as active agents of change instead of mere victims.
★ Don’t forget to find your climate community! Having a caring community that supports and uplifts one another amidst struggles and successes in climate advocacy is a necessity.
★ Don’t overlook the intersectionality of climate change impacts! People’s multiple identities affect how differently they experience the effects of climate change. These effects are not purely physical discomfort but can also affect one’s mental wellbeing and cultural heritage.
★ Don’t stop talking about climate adaptation! While mitigation efforts are pivotal, we need to acknowledge that we are getting more vulnerable day by day if we are not well-equipped with the infrastructure and knowledge to respond to disasters quickly.
★ Don’t stop demanding your rights. As Malaysians, we have the rights to demand inclusion and accessibility to social services and climate governance. Youth and children, especially, should have sufficient space to speak up and be considered seriously when policies are being made.
