Climate Guardians
In Maldives, a group of young people are helping to enact climate and environmental actions
In a small island nation scattered across 90,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean, young people feel the effects of the climate and environmental crisis in their daily lives: Waves spill into schoolyards; plastics wash ashore; storms damage homes.
For many young people, the climate and environmental crisis is a call to action.
UNICEF Maldives has responded by establishing Climate Guardians – a platform for young people to learn skills, get involved and make a difference.
Who are the Climate Guardians?
They are young people aged 15–24 from 10 islands in Maldives – with the goal of adding more islands to the cadre.
They are a self-governing group that develops and enacts climate and environmental actions including:
- Clean-ups
- Waste audits
- Advocacy efforts including participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP)
Voices of Climate Guardians
"Climate change is the reality that we are living today. I want people across generations to recognise this and understand that we cannot leave the responsibility to protect our islands to those who come after us. We must act now, together, to build a climate-resilient Maldives and secure a future where our children can thrive." - Lasan, 19
"Let us move from protection on paper to stewardship in practice. Because in the end, we are deciding what kind of ancestors we will be. We are defending our home, our heritage, and the right of every Maldivian child yet to be born to stand on these shores, look out at the sea, and feel the same wonder and security that defines who we are." - Yania, 18
"Climate change and its impacts cannot be ignored; the weather is changing, our environment is being eroded and our coral reefs are dying right before our very eyes. Don't stay silent as entire ecosystems collapse. Even if you stand alone, always be the voice who calls out to protect what sustains us." - Maal, 17
Get involved
The goal is to grow the ranks of the Climate Guardians and expand their engagement into efforts that help their communities bolster their resilience and respond to disasters.
If you are interested in becoming a Climate Guardian, apply here.
