South climate conclave – empowering youth for Climate Action

In an effort to address rising global temperature in South Asian countries, the Climate Action Champions Network (CACN) in Sri Lanka hosted 51 youth delegates and advocates from Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Ten youth delegates from various sectors took part in the third convening of the conclave for three days – that ended on March 17.

The CACN aims to discuss addressing the impact of rising global temperatures on agriculture and water. Additionally, the conclave prepares the participants to raise awareness, drive concrete policy-making initiatives, and encourage collective action in the face of climate change.

Under the theme "World of Change: The Impact of Rising Global Temperature," the south climate conclave provided the participants, with a platform to share knowledge and experiences, fostering the transformation of ideas into actionable solutions.

Tasnia Khandaker, a participant from Bangladesh in her presentation on 'The enduring climate victims' said that Bangladesh is one of the climate-vulnerable countries as a result of climate change. "Due to its geographic location, Bangladesh suffers regular natural hazards resulting in loss of lives every year."

"Climate displacement is a critical phenomenon that requires immediate attention. The government and communities in co-operation with other regions in Asia must frame policies and programmes that can be implemented with full transparency to support the climate victims," she said.

Joe John George, a participant from India, said that educating people with disabilities (PWDs) on the impact of rising global temperature is important. "PWDs experience the impact of climate change and disasters disproportionately."

Presenting his research titled "Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction," he said, "It is everyone's social responsibility to acknowledge and comprehend the requirements of PWDs in policy making, and am adequate mechanism in their assistance."

Tshering Tobgay, a participant from Bhutan said that CACN has provided the participants with a platform to discuss, learn and work in their respective countries. "Youth in Bhutan are better able to understand the impact of climate change better and with a network of friends – youth advocates are better able to voice out in the policy-making level."

He said: "The melting snow in Bhutan has an impact in the lower regions like Sri Lanka – for which, the snow-capped mountains and glaciers in Bhutan must be preserved to allow countries of South Asian regions to enjoy the same benefits as Bhutan do."

Ratul Dev, Executive Director, Gen Lab said that the conclave is designed to encourage collective action from the climate champions focusing on the most critical metric of climate change that we are feeling right now: rising temperature.

He said: "The current climatic trend of rising temperature all across the South Asian region has compelled us to engage in dialogues that will drive concrete policymaking initiatives in its wake."

The participants could also visit the Mangrove Museum in Pambala, Sri Lanka, providing the participants with insights into the impact of rising sea levels and temperature on mangroves, their habitat, and ecosystems.

The CACN members are assisted with a small grant programme to work on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) projects that are feasible and create an impact in the local community.

The programme was supported by Gen-Lab, Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF), Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR), and Nepal-US Alumni Network (NUSAN).