COP26, a name which dominated global headlines for uniting world leaders and activists in the name of climate change and the means by which to address it. The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow welcomed leaders from all over the world including Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela as well as KNZ International Official Nigel Caruana and Director of Climate Change and Sustainability Steven Bajada.
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The aim of the conference was to address the Earth’s current climate change situation and establish agreements on a global level in order to mitigate and control issues which are drastically affecting countries around the world. Glasgow welcomed thousands of people including climate activists Greta Thunberg and Sir David Attenborough but KNZ’s Caruana highlighted his concern with the stark difference between the youths marching the streets and the ’emotionless’ politicians and negotiators “disillusioned by bureaucracy.”
In a recent Instagram post, Caruana shed light on the difference between the youths marching the streets of Glasgow “pouring their soul into cries for justice” while inside parties “inside parties sure that the word ‘justice’ is not written in the document, exempting them from payment.” While the young climate activist praised the COP26 summit for certain aspects, it is the difference between the youth and decision-makers which worries him. He highlights that the summit lacks malicious intent but the “submission to incremental change within the broken system” fails to give him hope for a brighter future for the Earth’s climate.
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The COP26 led to the establishment of the COP26 Coalition summit, a widespread response of activists who share Caruana’s sentiments and wished to issue a response against the backdrop of the ‘disillusioned bureaucracy’ happening behind closed doors. The voices of these concerned activists did not only hit the streets of Glasgow but shook the world with its bold approach towards the addressing of climate change.
KNŻ’s role in the matter is to represent young people who are frustrated with the effort, or lack thereof, being made towards the environment whilst giving a voice to the youths who wish to express their concerns during the COP.
Do you agree with these young activists? Let us know in the comments!
Photos: Nigel Caruana / BBC
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