Restless Development Fighting climate change with protests & doughnuts!
|
Hi Derrick !
We all know that climate change is one of the most important issues facing us today. From rising sea levels and mad weather events to the extinction of certain species – it’s also one of the most depressing. That’s why it’s so important to recognise and shareinspiring actions when they happen! When we campaign we can often come across angry and negative (we are trying to change the world after all!) but positive campaigning – framing your action around the hopeful vision you’re trying to achieve – can often be more successful and make people want to engage more. With that in mind, let me share some truly inspiring stories from young campaigners at the COP24 Summit, the UN conference on climate change which started in Poland last week and ends tomorrow. The UN itself kicked off the summit by calling for “young climate change leaders” and they were not disappointed! 15-year old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg met with her Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate and schooled world leaders with a factual but passionate speech. Greta started her fight against climate change earlier this year with a school strike, spending the hours she would’ve been in class sitting on the steps of the Swedish Parliament to target national politicians. Inspired by her actions, 14 year olds Harriet O’Shea Carre and Milou Albrecht from Australia went one step further, and mobilised a nationwide student walkout which swept from Perth to Brisbane resulting in an estimated 15,000 Australian students taking part. Their sheer numbers, youthful energy and snappy signs, grabbed media headlines but if you missed them here are some of the best!
Another glimmer of hope discussed at COP24 was Kate Raworth and her work on….
You read that right – those round, sugary and delicious pastries may actually be a key part in helping us and our powerful institutions realise not only how we can limit climate change but also improve living conditions! After 20 years at the UN and Oxfam, Kate Raworth is a development economist with a difference. Her new doughnut model aims to highlight how we can achieve these 2 goals at the same time, check out her intro video below!
Until next Thursday, have a great week & stay restless!
Hannah |
