The energy of the youth came alive in full force to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience thatinspire climate action at the first-ever Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) on climate change in the UAE over the weekend (Friday and Saturday, January 29-30, 2021) with an inspiring variety of topics related to conscious consumerism, conservation, innovation, and the role of values and mindsetsin driving climate action.
Established by the youth for the youth, LCOY isa global movement led by Youth NGOs (YOUNGO) under the umbrella of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Initiated in the UAE by the youth of Raja Yoga Center Environment Initiative, the two-day conference themed ‘United Youth for Climate Change’ featured18 environment ‘change enablers’who shared their experiences and journey towards sustainability.
The event held three different sessions over the weekend which gathered a total of 220 participation comprising individuals, schools, and environmental organizations.The first session opened with a keynote speech from Mashael Al Ansari, a youth climate change specialistat the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Al Ansari said: “Being part of this event will enable the new generation to actively contribute to designing the next 50 years of this nation. It will bridge the gap between young people who have the passion and the right mindset to come with innovative ideas and decision makers who can help translate these ideas into reality. Your input and commitment to shaping a better world is more important than ever.”
She added: “No one is too young to make a difference, so we are here to support your ambitions for a greener, more resilient planet. Under the guidance of our wise leadership, we are committed to helping you protect your future and the future of the generations to come.”
Some of the UAE-based multi-awarded young change enablers who inspired the audience included 15-year-old Riva Tulpule, an international award-winner who shared her journey as an e-waste recycler; young eco-artists Rahul and Rohan Raju who educated the audience about wildlife conservation through their paintings; and 13-year-old Sainath Manikandan who showcased his marine robot cleaner to clean up the ocean.
Sustainability advocate Zeina AlHashmi urged the youththat live a sustainable lifestyle by investing in experiences rather than products while green entrepreneur Natesh Iyeradvised to start the change from within to practice a sustainable lifestyle. Vegan advocate Chetan Punjani encouraged the audience to make their compassion for animals be the force to take climate action by turning to a plant-based diet.
In the area of conservation, young ocean ambassadors from Azraq led by Azalea Watfa explained how the youth can join the campaign to conserve marine life, while Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder of Goumbook, enlightened the participants about the beauty of the ghaf tree and what her organization has been doing to save the national tree of the UAE from extinction.
Innovative efforts of environment management company Bee’ah’s sustainability chief Sherry Mathewgave key insights to the participants about the new developments in waste management and the trends towards achieving a circular economy, while Ella Clemits of DGrade showed how her company supports the circular trend by turning used plastic bottles into clothes and how schools can join their campaign of collecting plastic bottles to turn them into yarns.
Meanwhile, the growing importance of values, mindset,and consciousness were exemplified through unique guided meditations of change enablers such as Sonja Ohlsson, a participant at the UN COP events, who raised the importance of practicing values to make a step towards climate action. Medilyn Singh, a volunteer facilitator at Raja Yoga Center’s Virtue Café initiative, led the participants in a creative visualization of growing an idea and turning it into reality through a‘seed of light’ that is within everyone.
Prakash Chugani, founder of Ecube Training, led the participants to appreciate innovative thinking through simple activitiesand adopt a thinking that focuses on harmony, abundance, and beauty. Finally, Juan Vazquez, an NGO representative to the UN, emphasized the power of awareness or consciousness to influence the environment, and what is happening within the self can affect the environment outside. He suggested meditation as a tool to empower the self that can positively influence the state of nature through silence.
Suraj Bhartti, a Dubai-based musician, also rendered a musical performance to express his tribute to water. Tender Hearts Arena, an organization for children of determination also served as an inspiration on how the children uniquely contribute to making a change for the environment.
The event concluded successfully filling the participants with new inspirations and with a pledge to commit to environmental actions now to make a difference. Hosted by the Raja Yoga Center as part of its environment initiative, it enabled like-minded youth and organizations to come together and give back to nature while promoting positive thinking as the foundation of leading a sustainable lifestyle.