From September 19-25, join Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s “Holistic Climate Solutions Summit” for thought-provoking panels, interactive workshops, and dialogues exploring an alternative future that is within reach.

UN DGC Civil Society Unit is co-organizing two sessions with UN Environment Programme (UNEP) within the Summit.

All events are available to watch live!
For details and registration information for all events of the Holistic Climate Solutions Summit, please visit Climate Week NYC: Holistic Climate Solutions Summit - Tzu Chi Center

 

22 September 2022

Youth Leadership in the Triple Planetary Crisis: Creating the World We Need to Live In 

Time: 1 - 2:30 pm EDT

 

The ever-growing impacts of our triple planetary crisis (including climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste) is projected to put millions of species at risk of extinction and change our lives. Inaction will only lead to the continued erosion of ecosystems, and the destruction of the very air and water needed to live.

With over 49% of the global population being under the age of 30, the youth voice in decision making processes in response to the triple planetary crisis is more important than ever. We cannot be allowed to continue to live unsustainably and must scale up game-changing solutions. This includes doing more to ensure that youth, as key stakeholders, are engaged so that we do not inadvertently leave anyone behind.

This panel will uplift perspectives from youth that are on the front lines of creating change within their communities, building innovative solutions to address key climate, biodiversity and pollution challenges, ushering in a more sustainable future. Additionally, the panel will make the case for the phenomenal opportunity of impact when youth are brought into leadership structures to collaborate in intergenerational ways.

Panel

Moderator

Amanda Nesheiwat, Deputy Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach at Hudson County Improvement Authority at Town of Secaucus, New Jersey

Speakers

Jerome Foster II, Environmental Justice Advisor at White House

Sumedha Tanwar, Global Head of AIESEC

Jeremy Raguain, AOSIS Fellow at Seychelles Mission

Gator Halpern, UNEP Young Champions of Earth

 

 

Innovative Usage of Storytelling for Media Communications on Climate Awareness and Climate Action

Time: 3:30 - 5 pm EDT

 

One of the most important ingredients for mobilizing engagement and action from individuals for personal and collective change, is concern. How we communicate about the climate crisis and raise awareness on the actions and solutions that are available, accessible and ready to deploy, determines whether we are able to empower and inspire our networks to take action.

It’s the difference between someone becoming overwhelmed by the enormity and complexity of the problem that is presented, or, becoming elevated and engaged, ready to take action to create change. Are we simply stating the problem at hand, or can we become better storytellers as an international community?

This panel will bring together youth activists, climate change communications experts, and representatives from the United Nations family to reflect on how we can generate concern about climate in ways that are not debilitating, and instead catalyze the change we need in society to cultivate climate ambition from our governments.

Panel

Moderator

Juan Pablo Celiz Garcia, UNEP

Speakers

Ayisha Siddiqa, Climate Justice Advocate at Fossil Free University / Polluters Out

Shiv Soin, Youth Lead & Executive Director at TED Countdown and TREEage

Martina Donlon, Senior Public Information Officer at UN Department of Global Communications (DGC)

Vindra Ofejiro Oghenekparobo Aduara
President, Hallmark International Youth Club (HIYC)