Somaliland Youth Affairs’ Post

The accelerating pace of climate change is undermining human rights across the board – including the most basic one of all: the right to life. I observe, the climate crisis is THE defining challenge that humanity faces. It is closely intertwined with the inequality crisis. It has cascading impacts on food security, population displacement and migration, health, energy, water. Every single one of the SDG is affected. The number of people who are acutely food insecure worldwide has more than doubled, from 149 million people before the COVID-19 pandemic to 333 million and people in 2023, according to WFP. In 2022, 9.2% of the global population, or 735.1 million people, were undernourished.  Protracted conflicts, economic downturns, high food prices are at the root of high global food insecurity levels. This is aggravated by naturally occurring phenomena like El Niño and La Niña and long-term climate change the effects of climate and weather extremes which I have experienced in Rural Kenya cannot be underestimated. We are worst hit by this crisis and it seems systems are not waking over here to save the dire situation, Climate change is sabotaging people’s health and setting back public health progress.  This is not the future we want for our population both with and without disabilities. The Kenyan rural have the right to live and thrive on a sustainable and healthy planet. Most rural Kenyans lack basic education and may not really understand the crises we are in. coupled with social cultural inequalities rural persons with disabilities are worst hit. However, there is hope. The transition to renewable energy can improve basic socio-economic rights – the right to development.  Renewable energy sources are available almost everywhere, making energy access more equitable and allowing countries to develop their economies. Currently, more than half of Africa people lack the access to electricity, but Africa continent possesses some of the world’s greatest potential for solar power generation.  Such potential holds the key to alleviate poverty and support socio-economic development. Who will come and light my rural village, where underdevelopment and inequalities are at the extreme?  Igembe central needs to be classified as marginalized constituency. It will take several decades to alleviate the inequalities.

This recent UNDP policy paper, "A Turbulent Future: How Climate Change Impacts Young People in the Pacific" hits home. Released ahead of the SIDS4 conference, this underscores the existential threat fellow Pacific Islanders face. Rising sea levels threaten to engulf homes and destroy livelihoods. The mental and health challenges arising from climate change are mounting. Young people make up the majority of our population. They are at the forefront of this crisis. They grapple with disruptions to our cultural and spatial identities. Climate adaptation, skill development, and mental wellness programs and important starting points. All three are vital to building resilience in our young people and offer a hopeful future. I recommend policy makers to read this report carefully. #ClimateChange #Youth #PacificIslands #Resilience #SIDS4

Are any stakeholder groups truly of low importance in climate action? This question popped up in my head following a learning session I moderated recently. Hear me out. Since May/June (or thereabouts), I’ve been actively managing the Empowering Youth Civil Societies to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria Project - a project by Nigeria Youth SDGs Network, funded by the German Missions in Nigeria. The project’s mission is simple yet powerful: to equip and empower youths and youth CSOs with the knowledge and resources to contribute to the implementation of Nigeria’s climate policies, specifically the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The journey so far has been eye-opening and deeply rewarding for me. Alongside my incredible team, we’ve trained around 200 youth CSOs across five states and 200 young people from 33 states on NAP and NDCs. One surprising insight? For many participants, these sessions were their first exposure to these critical climate policies. Hearing their feedback on how these sessions have equipped them to “move the needle” on climate action was incredibly fulfilling. The impact didn’t stop there. These youth CSOs have gone ahead to organise community dialogues in their states, capturing the perspectives of local and marginalised groups on climate risks, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies. These insights are now shaping the Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs) we are currently developing that reflect the needs of these local communities. But here’s the twist. During a recent learning session we had on Stakeholder Engagement and Mobilisation, a youth CSO representative from Nasarawa state shared an interesting perspective: "There’s no stakeholder group of low importance when implementing climate policies." Using the stakeholder matrix (4 quadrant table), they presented that everyone - from policymakers to grassroots communities plays a crucial role in this shared agenda. The thing is that I agree wholeheartedly. And why, you may wonder? This is because climate change affects everyone, and the success of climate policies hinges on collective action. Imagine: - If governments set policies, but individuals choose not to comply, what happens? - If grassroots groups like youth CSOs gather critical data but policymakers fail to act on it, what changes? Every stakeholder has a role to play. So, what about you? Do you think there are stakeholder groups of low importance in climate action and policy implementation? Why or why not? I’m eager to read your thoughts and perspectives on this. #theopeyemiogundeji #climatepolicies #climateaction #sustainabledevelopment #NAP #NDCs #UNSDGs

"Dive into the urgent realities of #climate change with insights freshly unveiled in VSO just concluded workshop. Discover actionable strategies, profound revelations, and compelling data that demand our attention and action. Join me in exploring the crucial path forward for our planet. Your participation could change everything. Don’t miss out!" #linkedinconnections #climatechange https://lnkd.in/dWaGKegE

El Niño, heatwaves, and drought cause various issues ranging from food insecurity to economic shocks and health problems. While everyone is undoubtedly affected, women and girls experience the impacts more severely. How will climate change impact women and girls? How do we overcome this issue? Find the answer by tapping the link below: https://lnkd.in/gxsJPkt2 #greennetwork #greennetworkasia #greennetworkid #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #SDGs2030 #ClimateChange #GenderEquality #WomenEmpowerment #SustainableDevelopment #ClimateAction #GenderBasedViolence #EnvironmentalJustice #GenderJustice #AsiaPacific #EconomicActivity

Empowering Young People to Shape Inclusive Climate Policies Through Policy Research Challenge Under the umbrella of Generation Unlimited, the Youth Policy Lab (YPL) platform has emerged, bringing together UN agencies—UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP—and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) in a synergistic collaboration with the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF). This coalition introduced the Policy Research Challenge (PRC) in 2023, marking a significant stride in involving young people at the policy level. Through the PRC, the YPL gives young people a platform to have their voices heard in policy decisions, ensuring their unique needs are considered during important developmental stages. The Policy Research Challenge was meticulously crafted to empower young individuals to critically evaluate and contribute to inclusive climate change policies. This initiative welcomed the perspectives of young people in policy formulation around the domain of Climate Adaptation, honing their research capabilities and encouraging active community involvement. This initiative has enabled young individuals to contribute significantly to shaping a more equitable, resilient, and promising future for society. The PRC 2023-24 not only scrutinizes climate change mitigation policies but also advocates for inclusivity by identifying gaps, optimizing institutional arrangements, bolstering capacities, and mobilizing support from diverse stakeholders, including the private sector. To mark the culmination of the Policy Research Challenge, a pivotal roundtable was conducted to stir the dialogue among policymakers from various ministries, private sector stakeholders and young researchers. The event also aimed to bridge the divide between research and policy formulation, and advocating for the inclusion of young people in research and policy recommendations. The young researchers employed a transdisciplinary approach to climate adaptation, exploring issues related to water, education, health, smog, agriculture, and community resilience across districts including Lahore, Johi, Skardu, Swat, Lasbela, Hub, Bahawalpur, and Karachi. This approach highlights the significance of climate adaptation for human capital development in Pakistan. Representatives from UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA attended the event, underscoring the strategic importance of youth empowerment and evidence-based policymaking in achieving sustainable development goals. Rana Mashood, Chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, delivered keynote remarks, emphasizing, "Supporting young people and including them in policy-making to combat climate change is not just important; it is essential. Their innovative ideas and unique perspectives are crucial in developing effective and inclusive climate policies that will shape a sustainable future." Learn more at http://solf.org.pk or follow at solforgpk #Empowering #Young #People #InclusiveClimate #Policies

A New report-"The Unjust Climate" from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (#fao) sheds light on the unequal impacts of climate change on rural incomes, particularly affecting women.. #climatechange #climateaction #ruralcommunities #womenempowerment   

With the President H.E. dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, UNICEF launched its first-ever Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) report, spotlighting the severe impacts of climate change on children's rights in Kosovo*! Globally, the triple crisis of climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss has put around 1 billion children – nearly half of the world’s 2.2 billion children – at extreme risks to their ability to survive and grow. While Kosovo’s children are growing up in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Europe, accelerated actions are needed to protect children and their future. Released on the eve of #COP29, #CLAC report revealed that the Kosovo’s children are exposed to significant challenges from rising temperatures, poor air quality, and water scarcity. Average temperatures in Kosovo have risen by 2–3°C since the 1950s, with further increases of 4–8°C projected by the century's end. The report unveils that this warming trend brings more frequent heatwaves, unpredictable rainfall, and severe water shortages, particularly impacting areas such as Ferizaj and Prizren, where children already face heightened air and water pollution. While children in Kosovo and worldwide are the least responsible for the climate crisis, they bear the greatest burden of its consequences. Children are uniquely vulnerable to climate change, for example, they breathe twice as quickly as adults and take in more air relative to their body weight, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. Heatwaves are especially damaging to children because they are less able to regulate their body temperature than adults. At #CLAC launch in #Prishtina, H.E. the President of Kosovo dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu said: “The facts are alarming, and numbers are speaking; climate change is negatively impacting the lives of our children. It is concerning to see that only US$0.03 are spent per child in projects that address challenges of the climate change that affect children. And this is not proportional to what we aspire for them. That is why I am here, to call for action and join forces to improve this situation. I congratulate UNICEF for this report and for their great work. I hope that this report will guide us to do more for children, to be inclusive and to ensure that behind the words there are always actions undertaken. Full report: https://lnkd.in/dZ6cABRK #COP29 #ForEveryChild #Protection #Investments Kudos to UNICEF HQ, UNICEF Europe & Central Asia & local teams for advancing #ChildrensRights to increase investments in climate actions for children! Kitty van der Heijden George Laryea-Adjei Regina De Dominicis Maria Osbeck Iryna Mazur Pamela Dale Antonio Jovanovski Timur Ramiqi Dafina Zuna Kozeta Imami Laurat Raca Nora Maxhuni Jehona Luta Sajeda Atari @benjaminfisher * (UNSC 1244)

Today, International Youth Day 2024 (#IYD2024), the USAID Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative (#CACCI), implemented by Abt Global, had the pleasure of hosting an expert panel consisting of Hilary Hambrick Taft, Joyce Mendez, Hannah Girardeau, and Timothy Kerr, to discuss #YouthResilience against #ClimateChange and the many facets of #YouthEngagement and leadership in #ClimateAction. CACCI’s Africa Lead, Nalishebo Meebelo, deftly moderated the session. Some key takeaways: 💡 Young people have a significant stake in the planet’s future and experience the impacts of climate change directly and disproportionately. They should not be treated as passive bystanders but brought in as equal partners in shaping climate solutions.    💡 The youth are not a homogenous group. They have complex identities, bring different strengths, face interlinked challenges, and often confront compounded climate-related vulnerabilities. They must be valued in all their diversity. 💡 Estimates vary but migration due to extreme weather or slow onset events could exceed two hundred million people over the next 3 decades. One of 8 migrants is a child. Migration should no longer be framed as a consequence of climate change but as an adaptation strategy to cope with climate change impacts.   We must also remember that when speaking about migrants – they are not just statistics but humans with their own histories and aspirations. 💡 Though youth climate advocates from around the globe are more likely to be invited to large meetings like the Conference of the Parties (COP) in recent years, they are not always included in country delegations as negotiators. Young people must be at the forefront as partners in decision-making and delegations must fully reflect the populations they represent. 💡 Schools play a key role in addressing climate change in terms of educating our youth and serving as hubs for communities during disasters and climate events. It is important to build resilience in school infrastructure and among school staff and students. 💡 Reforms are needed in the global climate finance architecture to make it more inclusive and accessible. Many eligibility requirements of existing vehicles remain out of reach, and there is limited funding specifically targeted at the youth. There is a significant need for capacity building for the youth on climate finance. 💡 Studies have established a correlation between climate change and mental health, especially among young people. Dedicated mental health support needs to be incorporated into disaster risk reduction and climate action plans. Robust data is also fundamental to finding solutions. Emily Weeks, PhD Laura Cooper Hall Molly Hellmuth, PhD Eric Reading Callyn Bloch Santiago Enriquez Tahira S. John Heermans Samuel Ogallah (PhD) Jennifer Denno Cissé

🌍 Today is the International Day of Older People (https://lnkd.in/esSHrB-T) – a perfect occasion to celebrate and honour the invaluable contributions of #OlderPeople around the world. I am thrilled to share my latest work, which stems from our Regional Dialogue Series on Global Ageing and Climate Change (https://lnkd.in/eWm52Cxb), conducted in collaboration with HelpAge International. These dialogues took place in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Eurasia, and the Middle East, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise. 📝 Article: Why We Need to Talk About Older People and Climate Change in Africa ( 👉 https://lnkd.in/eA_s8GmW) 🎤 Interview (Q&A): Older People and Climate-Resilient Communities ( 👉 https://lnkd.in/efSQsMPV) As we recognise the International Day of Older People, it is vital that our climate strategies are inclusive, leveraging the strengths and wisdom of all generations. Together, we can build a sustainable and resilient future for everyone. #InternationalDayOfOlderPeople #ClimateChange #GlobalAgeing #ClimateResilience #Sustainability #Community #OlderAdults #Inclusion #HelpAgeInternational #SustainableFuture #OlderNotOver #IDOP2024 #IDOP #InternationalDayofOlderPersons