The Climate Change Challenge: Young Heroes Step Up!

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A Memory of Fire and Fear

Claudia Duarte Agostinho recalls a terrifying memory from 2017: a severe heatwave in Portugal followed by wildfires that claimed over 100 lives. She says, “The fires made me scared for my future.”

Young Voices, Big Action

Claudia, her siblings Martim and 11-year-old Mariana, and three other Portuguese youngsters are making history. They have taken 32 countries, including many European nations, to court.

Their reason? These countries, they believe, aren’t doing enough to fight climate change.

A Groundbreaking Case

This legal battle is the first of its kind in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. If the young heroes win, the governments will have to make significant changes.

Why Are They Taking This Action?

The youngsters argue that because of climate change, Portugal has been facing devastating forest fires year after year. They believe their rights, such as the right to live a good life and to be safe, are in danger because governments aren’t doing enough about climate change.

They’ve felt the heat – literally. Hotter temperatures have kept them indoors, disturbed their sleep, and affected their health. Mariana, the youngest, voices her concern, “I want a green, clean world. I worry about how our home, Portugal, will look in the future.”

Claudia mentions how Mariana gets scared hearing helicopters, reminders of the 2017 fires that destroyed vast forest areas. She wishes her younger sister could enjoy simple joys like dancing to TikTok videos, instead of stressing about the environment.

The Courtroom Battle

The lawyers will argue that if the governments don’t change, the world might become 3°C hotter by 2100. Gearóid Ó Cuinn, from the Global Legal Action Network supporting the case, emphasizes the risk. He says, “Our youth will suffer from this heat. Governments can stop this, but they’re not.”

A 2021 study showed that many young people worldwide are anxious about climate change and unhappy with their governments’ actions.

The governments, however, feel differently. They argue that there’s no solid proof linking climate change directly to threats on human life or the Portugal fires. They believe the court shouldn’t be deciding on climate policies.

Gearóid Ó Cuinn calls this a “David vs Goliath” case, where six youngsters are challenging powerful governments.

What Does This Case Mean?

Dunja Mijatovic, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, believes this case can reshape how countries handle climate change and human rights. She says, “We need to show we care and take action, not just talk.”

If the youngsters win, governments will have to make bigger efforts to reduce pollution. This ruling could guide other courts around the world in similar cases. An official decision is awaited in the next 9 to 18 months.

Hope for the Future

Claudia often wonders about the kind of world she might bring children into. But if they win this case, she believes there’s hope. She says, “A victory would mean the world is listening to our concerns and is ready to make a change.”

In the end, it’s about securing a brighter, cleaner future for everyone.

DIY Activity: “Climate Change Advocacy Capsule”

Objective: To create a capsule that encapsulates the students’ views, fears, hopes, and actions related to climate change. This will serve as a personal touchpoint for students to revisit in the future and remember their commitments.

Materials Needed:

1. Shoebox or a small cardboard box
2. Markers, colored pencils, and crayons
3. Plain paper
4. Magazines, newspapers (for cut-outs)
5. Glue
6. Stickers or decorations related to nature or climate change (optional)
7. A small piece of cloth or paper bag to seal items
8. Ribbon or string

Steps:

1. Introduction: Begin by discussing the text. What were their feelings after reading about the young heroes? Do they share similar concerns?
2. Write a Letter to Future Self: Ask students to write a letter to their future selves, expressing their current feelings about climate change, their hopes for the future, and what they personally pledge to do to help combat climate change.
3. Vision Board: Using magazines or newspapers, have students create a collage of images that represent what they hope the world will look like in the future regarding the environment. This could include images of forests, animals, clean energy sources, etc.
4. My Climate Change Hero: Ask students to draw or write about someone they view as a hero in the fight against climate change. It could be someone from the text or someone they know personally.
5. Trivia Quiz: Create a small quiz with facts about climate change to test and reinforce what they’ve learned. This can be revisited in the future to see how much they remember.
6. Action Steps: Encourage students to write down three actionable steps they can take in the next year to contribute to a healthier environment. This can be simple things like “Reduce my use of single-use plastics” or “Plant a tree.”
7. Compilation: Once all the pieces are ready, have students place them inside their shoebox.
8. Seal the Box: Using the cloth or paper bag, wrap up the contents and tie it with a ribbon or string, sealing their commitments and hopes inside.
9. Label: On the outside of the box, students can decorate and label it with “My Climate Change Advocacy Capsule: Do Not Open Until [specific future date, e.g., 2033]”.
10. Reflection: Once sealed, facilitate a discussion. How did it feel to compile their feelings and hopes? What actions are they most excited about? How do they think they’ll feel when they open their capsule in the future?
11. Storage: Capsules can be taken home, or if feasible, stored in the classroom or school for a designated period.

This activity not only reinforces the urgency of the climate change topic but also emphasizes personal responsibility and the idea that everyone, regardless of age, can take steps towards a brighter future.

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