Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC)

Durban Platform for Youth Involvement

2011-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

Half of the World population ismade of amazing group young people, creative, strong and committed to findingsolution to the world greatest challenge; climate change. We traveled by road,sea and air to meet with our peers in Durban, South Africa for the UN climateTalks. We began our participation with a3-day Conference of Youth (COY7) at the University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN). Weheld worshos on climate change policy, linking population and climate change,media and messaging, building youth climate coalitions and we dance to the tuneof “Waka Waka- it time for Africa”. Wemet too with ‘elders’ who are deciding how our future will look like withoutmuch consideration of how and what we think as the inheritor of the presentunsustainable world whichever way they leave it.

Much was at stake during the talks. After theexcitement, expectation and ultimate failure and farce of the Copenhagensummit in December 2009, the credibility of the entire UN process was under great scrutiny. The 2010 conference in Cancún restored some faith, but asthings stand there is still no legally binding international framework for cutsin carbon emissions beyond 2012. The future of theKyoto Protocol has been a major sticking point for years – and at these talks.The final outcomes are a Green Climate Fund being instated, the Kyoto Protocolhaving a second commitment period and there being a road-map to a new legalbinding treaty from 2015.

This year marked a great year for the Youth climate movementas we were boosted with a permanent observer seat at the UNFCCC under theYOUNGO (Youth NGOs). As the generation that will take over the climate which ever way the govt decides to leave it, young people like us will be spending the next 40 years of their lives de-carbonising the environment. Inside the ICC, we asked that Durban shouldn't be a burying ground for Kyoto protocol, govt should show the leadership that they are entrusted with, support Africa and other countries adapt and access the Green Climate Fund. We asked them to "Get it done"

""What has been the most important and exciting news fromthe conference has been the active involvement of youth - There is a story of hopefrom Durban—it's the story of the youth and their allies who refused to remainsilent, and who will stand up everyday and everywhere and show the bravery wesaw in South Africa. That's how we'll win this fight--and that's the progresswe're most proud of." ~ 350.org

African Youth were not left out. We held workshops, social media advocacy and we traveled from Nairobi to Durban by road holding road shows, collecting petitions and creating a great wave of awareness globally on the fate of Africans struggling in face of devastating climate impacts and yet they shouted "We have faith''. but how long can this faith last??

Written by Esther Agbarakwe
Photo Credits: Kyle Gracey and Esther Agbarakwe

Launch of the Nigerian Field Society Young Explorers (NFSYE)

2011-12-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

Mr. Oladipupo Ajiroba, apostgraduate student of Natural Resources Conservation at the University ofLagos and also a Special Assistant to Mrs. Hafsat Abiola, the Special Adviseron Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Ogun State Governor was selected andinstalled as the Chairperson at the Official launch of the Nigerian FieldSociety Young Explorers (NFSYE). In his acceptance speech, Mr. Oladipupo Ajiroba,Chairman of the newly launched NFSYE, and also of the leadership team atNigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) commended the Nigerian Field Societyand the management of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture formaking youths the vanguard of forest protection and natural resource managementin Nigeria. He spoke about the work of Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition ininvolving young people on environmental management in Nigeria and expressedconfidence that with this previous experience, he will lead NFSYE successfully.

The launch programme thatwas held on Saturday November, 19 at IITA campus, Ibadan, Oyo State and chairedby the Director General of IITA; had seasoned experts on conservation andenvironmental management in attendance.

In his words, “he decriedthe alarming rate at which Nigeria’s forest reserves have been depleted. Thelaunching of Nigerian Field Society Young Explorers Initiative is an excellentopportunity for us to stress the importance to walk the talk and not just talkthe talk".

“Young people should begiven more consideration and prominent roles in planning various projects andpolicies. Natural resources management is not complete without the activeparticipation of young people as well as the indigenous people. While it is nota doubt that old people have the ideas born out of experience overtime, youngpeople have the energy and number to drive these ideas and as well ensure it issustainable” he adds. Furthermore, Oladipupo extolled the leadership of youngNigerians who have been leading environmental campaigns in Nigeria, especiallyEsther Agbarakwe, the founder of Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition who presentlyis an Advocacy fellow at Population Action International, Washington DC, forher leadership and extensive advocacy work on promoting awareness onbiodiversity.

In Nigeria, deforestationor loss of vegetation or the selective exploitation of forests for economic orsocial reasons is about 3.5% per year, translating to a loss of 350,000–400,000ha of forest land per year. The consequence of this situation has led to globalwarming and climate change that is now affecting agricultural production,” werethe words of Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, Director General of the InternationalInstitute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Prof. David Okali,Nigeria’s first professor of forestry, notes that the impact of deforestationand degradation on the environment and livelihoods is enormous. Meanwhile, thecurrent president, Prof. Funso Adeniyi, emphasized the importance of forming theyouth wing of the NFS, the oldest NGO in Nigeria, now 81 years old.

“The time for action isnow and the youths, who will soon be the custodian of these resources, must beinvolved,” they said.

Recent studies show thatforests in Nigeria now occupy about 923,767 km² or about 10 millionha. This is about 10% of Nigeria’s forest land area and well below the Food andAgriculture Organization’s recommended national minimum of 25%.

Dr. John Peacock, aconsultant and coordinator of the IITA-Leventis Foundation project, notes thatagricultural intensification could help reduce the rate of deforestation in theregion.

“If farmers get improvedseeds and inputs such as fertilizers, and are trained, they would not need toslash and burn or embark on practices that will harm the forests,” he says.

Written by Oladipupo Ajiroba

A Strong Opening and an Open Letter to our Leaders

2011-12-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

The 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP17) opened in Durban today with a very strong statement on women by both the outgoing president of COP16, Ms. Patricia Espinosa, and current president of COP17 Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. Both ladies mentioned women’s empowerment during their statements as key to helping family adapt to the changing climate and urged governments to support women’s efforts in safer climate initiatives.

Ms. Nkoana-Mashabane, who is also South Africa’s International Relations Minister, said world leaders had gathered because of the concerns of millions of people. She urged the leaders to be bold in their actions in agreeing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was so inspiring when PAI was mentioned by the COP president, as she invited me to deliver the Youth Opening Statement during the Opening COP plenary.

This is what I said, and what I hope our leaders will consider this week during the negotiations:

The future cannot be discussed without youth. The future is ours. You can see that our patience has come to an end; we are willing to raise our voice even if it means taking us to the edge.

We do not want Durban to be a burying ground for the Kyoto Protocol. The renewal of commitment to the Kyoto Protocol in Durban is crucial as Africa and other vulnerable countries’ future depends on it. Everyone in this hall must collaborate to create solutions. As we travelled by road from Nairobi to Durban we collected petitions requesting you to act fast.

We believe that the Conference of Parties has come of age. We are no longer in the childhood stages of determining solutions to climate change. The time of maturity has arrived. Some of you here have shown leadership while others have blocked progress. We ask you to negotiate with open doors filled with compassion, integrity and justice. We ask you to show the world the leadership you have been entrusted with .

Thank you

Esther Agbarakwe

7th Conference of Youth, Durban, South Africa

2011-12-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

More than 400 young people from all over the world gathered at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) in South Africa this week for the 7th Conference of Youth. The Conference of Youth (COY) is about bringing together youth from all over the world who are passionate about sustainability and climate change. It’s a place to connect, share skills and build a movement.

At about 7.30 am after a very fast breakfast, I called a taxi to take me to UKZN’s Howard College, my backpack filled with PAI Materials for the Youth Expo. I arrived at UKZN at 8.30 am, due to heavy traffic.

This having been my second time at COY, I felt I had a bit of experience and was inspired to be attending the COY7 on African soil.Arriving at the venue, my first question was: Where are the African youth delegates? I whispered this to my African youth delegate from Cameroun, because the room was already filled with young people from the global north (you could see the marked difference from the skin color alone).

I was worried, because our hope as African youth facilitators was that for the first time, African youth would have equal representation at the Conference of the Parties (COP), large climate negotiations that this year are being held in Durban. Just then, the African Youth Justice Caravan arrived and the hall was now more than half filled with African delegates — mostly from the Southern African Countries (Kenya, South Africa, and Malawi, which had the largest delegation).

Youth in Durban enjoy a moment of fun

I was proud of this and felt a sort of entitled solidarity with the “African movement.” Even though the people running the COY sessions were mostly Australian or international, at least a lot of the delegates were local, I thought to myself. But what does locality mean in the face of a global movement? Who speaks, and who gets listened to? What capacity do they have to effectively engage with other youths on the relevant issues at the COP? In a lot of senses, “Africa” (the continent is sadly still not being diversified by most youth, though it is 53 individual countries) is being represented in global talks and movements around the world, just as it is at COY. But does this mean that “African” voice gets listened to in the same way in which other organizations from the global north get listened to?

There are lots of African voices speaking out, but there is something very uncomfortable about the way in which we are ‘facilitated’ to speak by others, and the way in which they in turn listen to what we have to say. Of course, the global north, in their experience and monetary advantage, do have a lot to teach us and can help us “build capacity.” This is especially true at political gatherings such as COP, which require a specific way of speaking to be taken even remotely seriously. And that’s something we need. But it’s not all we need.

Making my tribute to the Late Professor Wangari Maathai at the opening plenary, I spoke of the need to empower young African women as Wangari believed and worked for with her Green Belt movement. For me, seeing myself standing on the podium speaking and helping to facilitate the COY was just one example of this.

Soon after, I took my heavy backpack outside to get set for the exhibition. I got a table outside where a long line of youth were standing to get food, and many of them stopped to talk to me about my statement, and the importance of empowering women. Everything points to the fact that African youth and global youth at large are very interested to know and be engaged in the issue of sexuality and sustainability. The question we need to answer is: how do they make the connections, and what actions can they take?

6th African Economic Conference: Youth employment within the new African Green Economy Agenda

2011-11-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

According to the United Nations, Africa is well poised to take advantage of a host of opportunities on the continent for building a ‘green economy,’ one that generates decent jobs in an environmentally sustainable way

The concept of the green economy is one of the several closely related constructs that have emerged in recent years to enhance convergence among the three pillars of sustainable development. According to the UNEP Green Economy Report, a green economy is defined as an economy that results in improved human well-being and reduced inequalities over the long term, while not exposing future generations to significant environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient, socially-inclusive, and that protects and enhances biodiversity and ecosystem services.

But is how will all this potential be harvested for the benefit of Africa’s citizens and in a way that promotes stability in Africa and beyond? How will the millions of African youth find peace and stability through job opportunities which has been seriously promoted as one of the results of this ambitious transition to green Economy?

So I packed my bags and travelled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to participate at the 6^th Annual African Economic Conference on the invitation of UN Economic commission for Africa, African Development Bank and UNDP to share the views of African Youths and to speak at a special session on the Role of the state in promoting Green Economy.

The Conference which started from the 25^th to the 28^th October, 2011 had “Green Economy and structural Transformation’ as the theme. Green Economy being one of the themes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in 2012 (Rio+20) which was decided at the The UN General Assembly Resolution 64/236, to convene a summit 20 years after the Rio Earth Summit with the aim of reviewing progress in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, deliberate on new and emerging challenges and reinvigorate the political will for sustainable development. The two themes of the conference are “A green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication”, and “The institutional framework for sustainable development. During the Opening Plenary, The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Jean Ping, said the theme of the meeting was very timely and will help Africa’s preparations for the COP17 negotiations later this year in Durban, South Africa; and the Rio + 20 meeting in Brazil in June 2012.

While participants were made to understand that African leaders have already embraced the green economy concept as exemplified in several declarations and resolutions, namely: the 3rd African Ministerial Conference on Financing for Development (May, 2009); the 13th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) of June 2010; the 1st Pan African Biodiversity Conference (September 2010); the 7th African Development Forum (October 2010), and most recently, the 18th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (January 2011), I on the other hand was planning and coordinating with other African youths via social media on how to inform the participants that African youth are ready to support government efforts but want Government to make reforms and also understand that African Youth will hold govt. accountable if the Jobs are not created for them in this new green economy agenda on the context of the three pillars of sustainable development: Health, Economic and Environmental sustainability.

From the recent uprising in North Africa to anxiety over the prospect of more protests by young people throughout other African region, youth unemployment and underemployment is increasingly recognized as a potential trigger for social instability in other world regions. Africa in particular faces demographic challenges as its population of young people ages 15 to 24 increases and access to secure jobs continues to be problematic. In addition, the global financial crisis threatens to further strain labor markets and exacerbate a tenuous situation for Africa's youth.

Africa has the fastest-growing and most youthful population in the world. Over 20 percent of Africa's population is between the ages of 15 to 24 and, since over 40 percent of Africa's population is under 15 years of age, that number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to the International Labour Office, youth make up as much as 36 percent of the total working-age population and three in five of Africa's unemployed are youth.

So does Green Economy bring hope to African youths seeking Jobs? Speaking at the Special Session on the Role of the State in promoting Green Economy, African Youths and experts urge government to ensure that decent Jobs are indeed created for Africa’s youths and not use the notion of technology transfers and innovation to give jobs to non-Africans employed to help Africa transits to a green economy. African government and development partners needs to look inwards and access what technological potential and innovation exist among African’s youths, what area need improvement and how can the various ‘crude’ innovations across Africa can be harnessed towards an inclusive green economy development agenda.

African youth want unemployment to be reduced through the creation of green jobs with a living wage and the stronger consideration of the impact of employment policy on youth. Governments should promote young people's role in the workforce by providing them with the appropiate skills and knowledge to improve their employablity . Possible initiatives could include locally appropriate job-training in the context of sustainable development, start-up capital for young entrepreneurs, and apprenticeship programmes. Entrepreneurship opportunities like the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (You WiN!) Programme of the Nigerian Federal Ministries of Finance, Communications &ICT and Youth Development should be encouraged across African countries, while engaging the creative innovations of African youth. With aging populations in advanced economies and rising wages in Asia, Africa has the opportunity to become the next center for manufacturing, ICT and service sector jobs. Africa’s “youth bulge” need not be a harbinger of conflict and instability in Africa.

The conference ended after four days of brainstorming on the environment, climate change and green growth and how they affect Africa’s future prosperity, participants called for the reform in many sectors including the educational system in Africa to increase skills & productivity of workers, train young graduates to be entrepreneurs. Speaking at the Closing plenary, Professor Nnadozie, Director, Economic Development and NEPAD Division UN ECA also urged that participants take the dialogue further once leaving the conference to their respective communities

These positive signals coming from the continent’s political, economic and social leaders confirmed the view that African countries are intent on a green revolution. African youth (including African youths in Diaspora) are also ready to support this Green Revolution through peer-to -peer education, innovations but will continue to hold their government accountable when this promises are not fulfilled. As we move to Durban for the next UN Climate Talks, African youths under the Umbrella of African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) is mobilizing hundreds of youths across the continents to engage local, state and National leaders towards having a successful outcome in Durban, the AYICC is also planning a Youth Climate Justice Caravan (We Have Faith) with other partners that will move from Nairobi to Durban. We Have Faith is a campaign slogan with a very strong yet positive message about climate change. It demands action, and gives options and solutions. We Have Faith Campaign believes that the COP 17 in Durban can find a lasting and sustainable solution to protect people and the planet from climate change. Yes African Youth are ready and we are not alone.

by Esther Agbarakwe (Ms)

NYCC Mourns the death of Prof Wangari Maathai

2011-09-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

Statement by Esther Agbarakwe, Founder of Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition.

"We young Nigerian Climate Leaders mourns with our peers across Africa and the world on the sad news of the dead of Wangari Maathai. A women we saw as a mother. We draw strong inspiration from her life and promise to keep her legacy. We are consoled that she led a wonderful live during our generation and we will miss her wisdom and courage in Durban. May we grow up to be like you... Adieu Mama Trees, Adieu Mama Africa. We love you, but God love you most'

Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011)

Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai started the Green Belt Movement in 1977, working with women to improve their livelihoods by increasing their access to resources like firewood for cooking and clean water. She became a great advocate for better management of natural resources and for sustainability, equity, and justice.

Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya (Africa) in 1940. The first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree, Professor Maathai obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (1964).

She subsequently earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1966). Professor Maathai pursued doctoral studies in Germany and the University of Nairobi, obtaining a Ph.D. (1971) from the University of Nairobi where she also taught veterinary anatomy.

She became chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and an associate professor in 1976 and 1977 respectively. In both cases, she was the first woman to attain those positions in the region.

A Poem in Memory of Prof. Wangari Maathai

2011-09-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

I slept and dreamt,
Of the greenest Earth,
I awoke and felt,
The prevailing dearth

I dreamt of trees,
Then woke up to plant them
Stung by political bees,
But soldiered on; devoid of shame

Now that I'm gone,
Of more trees do plant,
Here; the torch that my path shone,
The song of eco-warriors forever chant!

~ In Memory of Prof. Wangari Maathai

by: Kennedy Liti Mbeva,
UNEP - Bayer Young Environment Envoy 2010
Africa Union Youth Volunteer

Mali: Bamako 15 September 2011 – For Immediate Release

2011-09-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

African Youth welcome the hosting of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Bamako, Mali from the 12 to 16 September 2011. This 14th session which aims at consolidating the African common position within the climate negotiations at COP 17 as well as the Rio + 20 gives impetus to the African youth to get their permanent observer status at AMCEN.

The African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) is a Pan-African movement of young people and organizations which aims at addressing issues of climate change, environment and sustainable development. AYICC was formed in Nairobi in 2006 during the UNFCCC COP 12 as a platform for youth advocacy on climate change issues. Its goal is to bring together the synergies of youth to participate in various forums and debates in order to find solutions to climate change issues.

In fulfilling this, AYICC is represented at AMCEN by youth organizations and NGOs from Africa led by JVE International, an environmental organization present in over 19 countries in Africa which is fighting for climate justice through advocacy and the education of young people on climate change in Africa.

Like its peers in the African civil society, AYICC would like to remind Ministers that climate justice and sustainable development should be the basic fundamental strategy for Africa. This requires:

1. Recognition of the right of people to development, the maintenance of the earth’s bio capacity , and inter and intra-generational equity;

2. Urgent focus on adaptation to climate change especially for the most vulnerable communities to easily access adequate funding;

3. The implementation of an innovative financing mechanism that takes into account historical responsibility, direct access (without intermediaries), and the rejection of all forms of debt;

4. A call to limit the average increase in temperature to below 1.5 ° C; and

5. Integrating environmental sustainability into national development plans.

All these demands are contained in the ‘Have Faith-Act Now’ petition campaign in which AYICC is involved and in which we are seeking to collect one (1) million signatures to take to COP 17.This campaign also includes a youth caravan from Nairobi to Durban.

Further to this, AYICC wishes to reaffirm its commitment to contribute to the construction of a new development paradigm. In this regard, Rio +20 is an opportunity for us to:

Act on the transition to a low carbon development and build resilience to the impacts of climate change

Lay the foundations for a genuine global governance mechanism or sustainable development Place Youth, children and Indigenous peoples in particular and civil society in general, at the heart of environmental governance and development.

Guide the green economy to address the fight against poverty while taking care not to exacerbate social inequalities, let alone the destruction of biodiversity or the collapse of the poor states in favor of the private sector.

The urgent and important message that the ministers should take to heart is that: 'Climate change threatens the balance of life on Earth with Sea level rises and increased acidity , the melting of ice caps and glaciers, deterioration of forests and coral reefs and other ecosystem changes. With these, the existence of some communities is threatened while others face increasing difficulties in their development. According to Sylvia Wachira, the AYICC Coordinator. ‘While the lives of young people and children are just blooming, it is undeniable that we are on the brink of a climatic catastrophe which will cause disturbances with unpredictable weather patterns, the collapse of food systems, mass migration and unprecedented human conflict .’

With this in mind, we AYICC affirms that it is committed to supporting the position of Africa to reach a fair and equitable agreement at COP 17 in Durban.

We represent the future which you speak of : RESPECT IT!

Contacts for the Press:

Séna ALOUKA: 00223 79 49 78 33, yvetogo@hotmail.com

Mawusé HOUNTONDJI: 00223 72 56 16 65, jvebenin@gmail.com

AN AFRICAN YOUTH PERSPECTIVE ON COP 17.

2011-08-13T03:50:00.000-07:00

Climate change is an issue African Youth take seriously, not just because Africa is mostly affected but because our capacity to adapt when disaster calls is so low compared to other young people in Europe or Americas and our government is still struggling to develop an adaptation strategy that may not include the voices of young Africans.

This year, as COP17 lands in an African Soil for the second time, Young Africans are getting so ready and inspired to actively participate. From Morocco to Zambia, from Nigeria to Kenya, young Africans are gathering under the umbrella of The African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) which is a youth network of youth-led and -focused organizations, university groups, rural groups, schools, and individuals.

The main reason this youth movement was formed in 2006 in Nairobi was to ensure the inclusion and active participation of southern youth voices specifically from Africa, in the international UN climate change negotiations process. African youth make up almost half of the population and are most affected by climate change impacts. We also have the most potential to support Africa to take action on global warming. The AYICC aims to provide a platform for young people in African countries to ensure effective participation and engagement in dialogue on climate change and sustainable development.

Our active participation in COP17 is not only motivated by the fact that the conference is in Africa where we are based, but mostly because of the ongoing lack of political engagement and its dramatic impact of the lives of people. African youth understand that they cannot allow our world leaders to go back from Durban without the commitment the entire planet is waiting for. We have understood that we are the People and we have to ensure success in Durban by coming together to make it happen.

For that reason, our youth leaders are lobbying towards a fair and binding deal at COP17 and beyond. We are working day and night to organize with our peers from around the world a global civil society movement. Our voices are more powerful united.

We are doing national training sessions for African youth and developing a ‘climate awareness roadshow’ for Durban. Together with our partners we are organizing a ‘Climate Caravan’ that will bring over a hundred young environmentalists and climate advocates for a road-show starting in Nairobi and finishing in Durban during COP17. We have successful trained over 30 youths each in Nairobi, Lagos and Addis Ababa during the African Climate Leaders Workshop organized by 350.org. We’re also associated with the ‘’We Have Faith’’ campaign and are mobilizing as many African youth as possible to participate in and contribute to COP17. We don’t only want youth from Africa to be there; we want them to be present and active to achieve a great success for our planet.

JEAN-PAUL BRICE AFFANA a young Activist from Cameroun was elected by peers worldwide as the Focal Point of YOUNGO at the UNFCCC secretariat this year with mission to ensure the effective participation of young people in the process. It is the first time that a young leader from Africa is filling the role, and this is a nice coincidence because our continent will welcome the forthcoming COP17.

We appreciate the support from the Global Youth Climate Movement and partners. We would like the partners to provide us with the necessary resources and trainings that will enable us to better coordinate our work and the energies of our peers. African youth is taking, and would like to take more of, the lead in mobilizing others in civil society this year towards and beyond COP17 and Rio+20. We have the passion, but it is not enough. We want more. We want those who have the knowledge and the necessary resources to share them with us. Then we will do more and together we will be able to coordinate better our efforts.

Thank You.

Esther Agbarakwe and Jean-Paul Affana

Technical Advisers, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC)

www.ayicc.net

NYCC's Climate Change and Biodiversity Education project Selected as a UNESCO Best Practice

2011-08-08T05:48:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that our Climate Change and Biodiversity Education Project was selected as a UNESCO Best Practice. The specific projects featured, illustrate how Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Dialogue can work synergistically. The project were chosen because of the learning potential they offer to those who are at the start of their journey

The Climate Change and Biodiversity Education Project aims to create awareness about climate change issues. It offers learning spaces where youth in Nigeria can collaboratively negotiate opportunities for action and develop skills to become future climate leaders. The Project, through the organisation of workshops and interactive activities, promotes intercultural and interreligious dialogue on sustainable lifestyles.

Link to the UNESCO Best Practice Page

http://insight.glos.ac.uk/sustainability/unescoculture/Pages/ExamplesofGoodPracticeAll.aspx

Youth Around Africa Gather for the 1st African Urban Youth Assembly

2011-07-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

Convened by the UNhabitat and hosted by the Government of Nigeria, the 1st African Urban Youth Assembly attracted over 300 delegates including members of African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) from Uganda, Liberia, Rwanda and Nigeria. The event centers around the theme “Youth and Prosperity of Cities” and focuses on the role of the youth in prosperity of Cities.

President Goodluck Jonathan , represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi revealed that government will accelerate action on the establishment of the National Youth Development Fund as a launch pad for young people who are aspiring to be self-employed and self-reliant.

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, the representative of UN Habitat, Prof. Oyeyinka Oyebanji said the programme is designed as an avenue for African youth to discuss and identify action on issue of youth empowerment and economic growth. Also speaking as one of the Panelist at the session on " United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP17", Ms Esther Agbarakwe, Director of the Nigerian Youth Climate called on African youth to begin preparation towards COP17 with action plans backed up with strong advocacy. She further called on the African Governmet to support youth delegate through capacity building and local mobilization. while calling on African government to be united and she thanked the Global youth Movement for supporting African Youth through the negociations.

The Habitat Agenda promotes a positive vision where everyone has access to adequate housing, a safe and healthy environment with basic services and which can manage mobility through better urban planning and provide better public services to avoid urban sprawl. Sixty per cent of people in African cities also live in slums and informal developments because of inappropriate or inadequate policies. This percentage is even higher in post-conflict countries. Addressing urban issues offers opportunity to tackle wider development concerns such as unemployment, safety and security, social exclusion and the provision of basic services, gender inequality, climate change and the environment.

The event provided an opportunity to learn from the young optimistic spirit and seemingly boundless energy, best practices and lessons from the local, national and global levels and to present a platform for recognizing the potential of youth and youth initiatives to advocate for youth concerns, achievements and solutions.

Nigerian Youths Celebrate 2011 World Environment Day with a Climate Workshop on the Hills and Art & Crafts Exhibition

2011-06-20T02:14:00.000-07:00

The World Environment Day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the opening of the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human and Environment. WED is celebrated around the world in many ways, including street rallies,bicycle parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools,tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. Celebrating WED is about the inspirational power of individual actions that collectively become an exponential force for positive change.

The Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) aims to inspire, empower and unite ordinary young people around a vision of a cleaner and fairer future. In collaboration with GreenBack Nigeria, NYCC organised a Youth Climate Workshop on Hills and an Art &Craft Exhibition in Gwarimpa, Abuja to Celebrate the World Environment Day 2011.

The workhsop was organised for Young Mountain hikers and youth advocactes for the evnvironment on the hills of Gwarimpa, Abuja to raise awareness on Climate Change, forest and Biodiversity Conservation on Saturday June 4th 2010. It was also an opportunity for young people to express their concerns towards environment as the theme of World Environment Day 2011 is "Forests: Nature at Your Service'. People climbing the mountain were from all walks of life, including members of environment protection organization, doctors, entrepreneurs, artists and college students.

First they discussed the impact of climate changes on forest, living environment of humans and human health. Then they raised various suggestions on promoting environment protection based on personal experiences, such as use of clean energy and proper disposal of garbage. In the end, all the people signed up to show their commitment towards the push for the climate change commission Bill which will make Nigeria have a sustainable plan for protecting the environment.

The workshop was inspired by the strong intergenerational support recieved from the Building Nigeria's Response to Climate Change (BNRCC) Project through the "Engaging Nigeria Youth on Climate Change Peoject" Funded by the BNRCC and inspiration from the International Youth Climate Movement.

"In our daily life, as young people we can do a lot to protect the environment. One of them is by raising awareness about the need to protect the environment. The second one is by changing our lifestyle," said Esther Agbarakwe, Founder and National coordinator of Nigeria Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC).

An Art &Craft exhibition was also held through which the tight connection between humans and the nature and people's wish to live in beautiful and sound environment were conveyed. it was also to raise the pulic awareness on the 'artists for climate' project that will be launch soon

Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) and Partners had on January.14th 2011 organised a Live Twitter Conference (Tweet-Chat) to discuss on the theme 'Climate Change and Young people in Nigeria' #ccnigeria with Rev Nnimmo Bassey, Chair Friends of the Earth International (FoE) as Key Presenter. The event attracted over 70 Participants from 11 countries including the UK, Kenya, Sri Lanka and USA . On Feburay 25th 2011 NYCC also launched the Biodiversity Young Professionals' Forum (BYPF-Nigeria) supported by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, LEAP Africa, actionaid Nigeria, Center LDS and Dekeyser&Friends Foundation, Geneva. The Young professionals' forum had since been linked to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Young profesional forum and local conservation organisations across the country, notably the Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST) and Nigerian Field society.

Esther Agbarakwe & Oluwasomidotun Adeniyi Babayemi

Abuja, Nigeria

http://www.nigycc.org/

Young People, Climate Change and the Nigerian 2011 Elections

2011-05-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

Today’s youth and future generations will inherit the climate system in whichever way governments decide to leave it.

Climate change refers to a change in climate that is attributable directly or indirectly to human activities, that affects the atmospheric conditions of the earth leading to global warming. And it gets worse: Climate change has the potential to affect all natural systems thereby becoming a threat to human development and survival socially, politically and economically. Climate change will have a negative impact on poor countries who, ironically, have contributed least to the problem. Climate change presents significant threats to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals especially those related to eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting environmental sustainability.

The Question now is: what does the Nigerian 2011 Elections got to do with Young People and Climate Change?

According to a report published by the Federal Ministry of Environment, in the last 15 years the population of Nigeria grew from 89 Million to 140 million people, with an area of 923.000 square kilometers. 33.6% of the total population of Nigeria are young people between the ages of 10-24 years. Estimates show that by 2025, the number of Nigerian young people would have exceeded 57 million..

Jennifer Ehidiamen, a young journalist from Lagos reported that young people played active role in the just conculded elections accross Nigeria stating that " Nigeria re-elected its president this month, and young people – who make up 70 percent of the population here – played an important role. Thanks to online platforms and social media, young people became “informal election observers” to ensure a free and fair process. Jennifer reported that Esther Eshiet, 24, a social worker in southern Nigeria, used social media programs such as Facebook and Twitter to report on what transpired at during election in her polling units and learned about what happened at polling units across the country during the presidential and parliamentary elections this month. She also said that the new information and communication technologies, ICTs, not only encouraged young people to participate but also helped to preserve the integrity of the elections.

This very opportunity can also be use to get more young people in Nigeria actively involved in environmental governance . Young people in Nigeria should be supported to use these ICT tools to inform and educate their peers on climate change and other evironmental issues happening in their local communities and arround the world. for instance on January 4th 2011, Young people used Twitter to e-organised a Live Tweet-Chat that attracted over 70 participants from 11 countries to discuss on the theme "Youth and Climate Change in Nigeria" #ccnigeria. first of it kind in Nigeria.

The elections activities itself had great impact on the enivironment. It has been reported that Two hundred million ballot papers and result sheets were ordered from abroad for each of the Nigerian elections. These actions has resulted to deep carbon footprint of massive proportions. Carbon footprint is the totality of greenhouse gas emissions caused by anorganization, event, product or person. Imagine the how much trees were cut to produce wood pulp, how much chemicals like chlorine were used. Has INEC disposed its waste products in an environmentally friendly manner? Will it by burining/incineration? which will result in carbon emissions,

The best alternative is recycling. In the absense of a recycling culture withnin the Nigerian society, young people can be encouraged to engage in low carbon paper recycling of these used ballot papers to produce finished product like greeting cards and picture frame thereby providing entrepreneurship opportunity for young people and creating employment. For Instance, in September of 2010, a Low carbon Paper Recycling Workshop was organised for 30 Youths in Abuja funded by Dekeyser&Friends Foundation and organised by EarthRISE Foundation and Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition under the "Awareness to Action project" .Recycling means processing used materials (waste) into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production

Nigeria is yet to sign the Climate Change Bill passed in the National Assembly even though it is a signatory to three related multilateral environmental agreements: the Kyoto Protocol and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC; the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs; and the Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD and many young people are not still fully aware climate change issues or not interested to dicusses biodiversity conservation issues in Nigeria.

It is time that young people in Nigeria recognize that climate change will undermine current efforts to poverty eradication and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, so that it raises serious questions of climate justice and equity. We must recognise that a gender sensitve strategy is a precondition to the rising challenges of sustainable development coupled with an agrresive implementation strategy that proirities the role of young people as stakeholders in the process.

Young people must note with concern the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change presented in its 4th Assessment Report, that climate change may affect most strongly the poorest regions and people, especially women, young people and children through impacts on agriculture, food security and availability of water, which are traditionally women’s tasks in many developing countries like Nigeria.

As the world will gather in Duban, South African come December for the UN Climate Change Conference, the newly elected president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has a number of important tasks to fulfill: The signing of the Climate Chnage Bill, The diversification of the economy, the independence of fossil fuels (in this case independence of selling fuels), Clean Enegry for Power supply ,revitalization of the stagnant agriculture, The participation of young people in Governance and National Security.

Engaging young people in actions to address climate change is a critical element to any nation’s strategy. Young people are also a key point of influence for other segments of society (e.g., families and communities). If citizens come to understand what the risks of climate change are and how they can play a role in reducing the impact of climate change, they can become an integral part of the solution. Youth are an important source of creativity, enthusiasm and drive for any actions to address climate change.

Written by Esther Agbarakwe, Esther Eshiet and Taiwo Oyelakin.

http://www.nigycc.org/

2011 A year of Inspired Action: Our Journery So Far

2011-03-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

We began the year by hoping for better opportunities to get inspired, involved and informed about local and global climate change issues while inspiring thousand of young Nigerians to join the Movement as well making sure that Government realises that in 2050, our generation will be between the ages 60- 65 yrs and that we will spending our lives de-carbonzing the environment. since the begining of the year,here is what we have been doing in partnerships with organisations home and abroad.

The Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) aims to inspire, empower and unite ordinary young people around a vision of a cleaner and fairer future. We are part of the International Youth Climate Movement, which works in over 30 countries and the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change that work in 35 countries, and we are all young volunteers residing across the country. Our organization has primarily worked towards raising climate change awareness and education among young people, and engaged in training and Policy advocacy.

LIVE TWEET-CHAT- #ccnigeria: on Jan 14, 2011 NYCC in collaboration with some amazing organizations; GreenActs, Earth Reformers Foundation, Global African Dialogue Ukraine, Olumide Idowu and Taiwo Adewole e-organized a live tweet-Chat with the Theme "Youths and Climate Change in Nigeria". The event first of it kind in Nigeria was aimed at inspiring and recognizing youth activists who have take actions on climate change in Nigeria and to raise more awareness on the issue as it affect young Nigerians. The event attracted over 70 participants from UK, Finland, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mexico, Malawi, Belgium, Sri Lanka and South Africa to discuss climate change with a youth perspective, what actions need to be taken and how these actions should proceed. The event had speakers from 350.org, AYICC, NYCC and Sri Lanka Youth Climate Network. It was also an opportunity to have Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, Chair; Friends of the Earth International (FoE) speak on Climate Change issues in Nigeria. Other Key Presenters included, Grace Mwaura, Kenya, Phil Aroneanu, USA, Voshitha Wijenayake, Sri Lanka, Taiwo Adewole, Nigeria

NYCC 2010 Annual Report Photo

NYCC 2010 ANNUAL REPORT: Inspired by the events and actions of 2010, we set out to reports all we did, We are proud to present our inugural Annual Report. Released in January 2011, the reports summaries the Activities of NYCC within Nigeria and globally. The Report is titled "CLIMATE CHANGE: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND PARTICIPATION can be access online at at http://www.scribd.com/doc/48334995/NYCC-2010-Report-Climate-Change-Youth-Empowerment-and-Participation

LAUNCH OF BIODIVERSITY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS’ FORUM (BYPF), NIGERIA

On Feb 25th 2011 Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) and partners launched the Biodiversity Young Professionals' Forum in Abuja for young professionals during the One-Day Biodiversity Conversations for Young Professionals' held at the conference room of Actionaid Nigeria. The event brought together over 30 young professionals to learn and engage in biodiversity conversations in Nigeria and the role of young professionals. The event which was first of it kind, was an opportunity to get informed, inspired and involved on biodiversity issues and was attended by Prof Emmanuel Obot, Executive Director of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Gloria Ujor from the Federal Ministry of Environment and Dr Otive Igbuzor, Excuetive Director Center LSD, former Country Director Actionaid Nigeria, Illona Makinen, Young Professional, Findland and was webcast Live where over 11 people joined in from Cameroun, USA, Netherlands, Japan, Malaysia and Lagos.

Presentation on "Biodiversity: the Role of Young Professionals" was made by Prof Emmanuel Obot while Dr Otive spoke on ‘Leadership and Intergenerational Justice’. Presentation and discussion on ‘International Year of forest and RIO+20’ was also led by Dr Gloria Ujor while Ola Omosebi made a passionate presentation on " Biodiversity and Youth Entrepreneurship". The Event was funded by LEAP Africa and supported by Actionaid, NCF Dekeyser&Friends Foundation and EarthRISE foundation. The Participants indicated interest to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature young Professionals Network under the Communications on Education and Communication and all the RIO+20 processes.

At the end of the event, Participants elected a Youth Leadership Team for 2011-2012, Esther Agbarakwe acting as an Advisor to the new team. The team will meet to develop a strategic action plan for effective youth engagement in the biodiversity development and conservation in Nigeria. For more info. Please visit: www.ypforum.wordpress.com or email ypfnigeria@gmail.com. you can join the group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_104263999652648

NATIONAL EVENTS: NYCC participated at the National Validation Workshop on Nigeria's Readiness for UN REDD+ Programme in Abuja and National Consultative Workshop on Nigeria National Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) under the UNFCCC, representing the Youth Constituency. Both event were organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment

The Logo was designed by Mallika Goel,
New Zealand

WHAT NEXT:

1.Development of IEC Materials (brochure) on Climate change for young people. Volunteers needed with Graphic Designs skills.

2. Nigerian Youth Conference on Climate Change (NYCCC) Abuja 2011. InPartnership with Slik Entertainment, NYCC will be hosting the 2011 National Youth Conference on Climate Change in Abuja with Regional Pre-conference events. More information comming soon!!

4. Publication of Final Report of the "Engaging Naija Youth on Climate Change Project"
5. Lots More!!
3. Publication of Report of Youth Research Survey on Climate Change among Youths in the Nigeria Delta

Opportunity:
There is an upcoming art contest with great prizes for "Tread Lightly" a TakingITGlobal Climate change Education Program. I think it would be a great opportunity for Nigerian youth to get involved in an international project in an easy way. Basically, you can upload a photo (or scan) of your artwork to submit to the contest. we're looking for art that comments on climate change or environmental issues. If you are interested inbox me ASAP

The deadline is April 15th. www.TreadLightly.me

Visit our Website: www.nigycc.org TODAY!!!

Youth demand voice in UN climate talks during ‘Young & Future Generations Day’

2011-01-09T02:45:00.000-08:00

About 1,000 young people from around the world have gathered in Cancun, calling for intergenerational equity and strong climate solutions at the United Nations talks.
Thursday, December 2nd was “Young and Future Generations Day,” a day dedicated to celebrating the power and unity of the youth movement, but also to highlighting the critical role that young people play in the international negotiations.

“Young people will be the most affected by the climate change and consequences of negotiators’ inaction,” said Carra Cheslin, a member of SustainUS, a U.S. youth-based volunteer organization. “While we appreciate
the opportunity to be involved in the UN process, we believe youth should have an even stronger presence at the talks.”

Nearly 50 young people lined up outside Cancunmesse Thursday morning as negotiators walked by to board buses for the Moon Palace, where the climate talks are taking place. They demonstrated in silence as a show of solidarity for the hundreds of thousands of youth fighting for climate change solutions.

“The purpose of this day is to bring the need for intergenerational implementation to the attention of the decision makers present in Cancun,” said Alina Pokhrel of the Nepalese Youth for Climate Action. “We are urging them to follow our lead and understand the necessity of international cooperation and concern for the welfare of the young and future generations regardless of national borders.”

Nearly 100 other youths gathered at organizations’ booths in Cancunmesse Thursday afternoon to “sell their futures.” With colorful posters and props, they created a fake marketplace where participants could trade and bargain natural resources, such as trees and clean air. The message, organizers say, is that negotiators are “selling our futures” every time they neglect to reach a fair, ambitious and binding climate treaty.
Young climate scientists and activists from the United States, Canada, South Asia, France and Kenya also spoke about the actions they’ve taken back home to find solutions to climate change and research that they hope will inspire policymakers to craft science-based regulations that address the most challenging climate impacts.

“We want to raise awareness about the threat of climate change globally and let people know that it’s possible to reduce emissions if every individual makes an effort,” said Trine Thomsen from Denmark representing the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Other “Young & Future Generations Day” events included:

Hug Kyoto Day: Japanese youth and others offered free hugs to delegates to show support for Kyoto’s now-rocky, 13-year-old relationship with Japan. There was also a photo booth where delegates could pose with “Kyoto.” See photos here.
A climate action dance for solutions led by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts outside the Azteca Building at the Moon Palace. The dance was first presented at a climate change conference in Canada in 2005 and made popular in Copenhagen last year when hundreds of youth performed it on the opening day of the negotiations.
An interactive forum on the personal experiences of Canadian, South Asian & U.S. youth with climate change and strategies in activism to stop it hosted by SustainUS, Clean Energy Nepal and Tides Canada Initiatives Society.
A discussion between youth delegates, UN scientists, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres and key negotiators from developed and developing countries from around the world on developing a collective solution to climate challenges.

NYCC WINS LEAP AFRICA AWARDS 2010

2010-11-22T22:26:00.000-08:00

Meet the 2010 Winners of the LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards!
Curred from CP-Africa

Its 2010 Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards at the Muson Center, Lagos. Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the event was well attended with Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu serving as the event’s key note speakers. At this year’s event, five young Nigerians were recognized for implementing “social change projects with significant impact” in their local communities. Get inspired! Read all about the change projects of this year’s winners below!

Esther Agbarakwe, Age 26

Initiative: Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC)

Esther Kelechi Agbarakwe is a graduate of Chemistry from the University of Calabar whose passion for environmental sustainability inspired her to initiate Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC). NYCC is made up of a group of young Nigerians who are providing solutions to the climate change crisis. Acting locally and internationally, they combine forces to organize programmes, influence government and implement concrete solutions. NYCC works in schools and communities across Nigeria, empowering young people to create solutions for climate change. As a result, the initiative provides a robust platform where youth led organizations working on sustainable environmental issues interact and learn from each other. This strengthens their coordination and gives them a united voice to address climate change issues, as it affects the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria.

In an effort to empower youth, NYCC held an “Awareness to Action” programme in partnership with similar organizations to train 40 youth between the ages of 18 and25 years on the process of recycling paper. At the end of the training, 10 beneficiaries received Paper recycling equipment to recycle paper for production of paper products including greeting cards and picture frames.

Through NYCC Esther has educated over one thousand five hundred (1500) youth through peer group training and online social networks on climate change issues. NYCC is currently collaborating with Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change (BNRCC) to implement a Climate Change Youth Communication Project to increase its reach to more Nigerian youth. Esther was recently selected as the Nigerian representative for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Commission on Education and Communication In addition, she represented Nigeria at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Esther is a 2009 Dekeyser & Friends Foundation Fellow. She also belongs to several environmental and youth organizations. For more information on Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC), please contact Esther at esther.agbarakwe@youthclimate.org.uk; donestyc@gmail.com

http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/11/22/cpa-awards-meet-2010-winners-nigerian-youth-leadership-awards/

Commonwealth youth speak out on climate change

2010-11-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

Writen by Commonwealth Secretariat, London
17 November 2010

Activists from six Commonwealth countries meet to develop toolkit for advocacy

A coalition of young climate change activists are meeting in London this week to develop a toolkit for young Commonwealth citizens to engage in climate change education and advocacy.

The event follows last year’s successful launch of the Young Climate Change Initiative Network to build the capacity of young activists across the Commonwealth.

‘People under 30 are extremely concerned about the impact of climate change in their countries. It is their future at stake, but there is broad consensus that young people’s voices are not being heard on this issue,’ says Layne Robinson, Programme Officer at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The YCCI brings together young people with expertise on climate change issues in their countries and regions. The aim of this initiative is for them to share experiences and produce a practical learning resource for other young people.
It will provide guidance on key resources and networks and will include se
ctions on issues relevant to climate change, such as gender, food security, water, sanitation and human rights.

Young activists from India, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria yesterday gave their views on climate change:

‘Climate change is very important. The evidence is that young people will inherit the climate system which the government decides to leave. Young people have the skills and knowledge. If only they are given the opportunity.’ – Taiwo Oyelakin (Nigeria).

‘Climate change is an immediate threat. It is not a future phenomenon for which we need to be thinking about and preparing for. It is here and now. And it is here and now that we must make this our important priority, globally.’ – Alicia Crawford (Australia).

‘We are not fighting the climate, not saving the planet. We are battling our own survival. Let’s wake up to the consistent signals of nature and work together for our future. Climate change is real.’ – Rishab Khanna (India)

‘Climate change is a global phenomenon. The enormity of the effects will only be fully experienced in a few years from now. As a people, we owe it to ourselves to take action now. Change the way we consume, the treatment of our ecosystems, our impacts on the environment and as such, our livelihoods. This way, we can combat the effects on our future.’ – Nolana E Lynch (Trinidad and Tobago)

‘We all know climate change is about human survival and human prosperity. But it’s about human rights, too. So as young people, let’s start by fighting for our right to a better climate. We need practical actions, not words. We call on world leaders to take responsibility now and think about our climate rights as a global agenda for all.’ – Messeh Kamara (Sierra Leone).

‘When you believe in doing something for climate change, just do it and don’t expect the outcomes of it and the best outcome will come to you’ – Y.Komalirani (India)
‘For a future tomorrow, let us preserve our environment today.’ – Garvin Perry, (Trinidad and Tobago).

‘It’s our time, our future. Keep the planet safe. Stop climate change.’ – Esther Agbarakwe (Nigeria).

‘Young people are the world’s largest untapped resource. We have the ideas, energy, and commitment to justice that will solve climate change.’ – Casper ter Kuile (United Kingdom).

‘Our generation is already suffering from the impacts of the on-going financial crisis. Let’s not allow an ecological crisis to get to the same point.’ – Sarah-Jane Saska, (Canada).

‘We are here. We are the young generation. We are strong. We are a voice. Speak through us and we can carry the voice. Climate change. A change for your people and the young generation. Think climate.’ – Timothy Sam (Sierra Leone).

http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/231857/171110youthclimatechange.htm

National Youth Conference on Climate Change:

2010-10-27T23:38:00.000-07:00

National Youth Conference on Climate Change

Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution, Central Area, Abuja

28th October, 2010

Climate change is one of the most challenging threats to sustainable development in Africa. Although the continent contributes only about 3.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions, its countries are among the most vulnerable to climate change in the world. This vulnerability derives from multiple stresses coupled with low adaptive capacity. First, the geographical location of many African countries is characterized by already warmer climate, marginal areas that are more exposed to climatic hazards such as rainfall variability, poor soils and flood plains

As Nigerian youths joins her peers around the world to work on protecting and advocating for a safer climate future,Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition will be joining the Nigeria Youth Climate Action Network (NigeriaYouthCAN) as it holds a National Youth Climate Chnage Conference Today, the 28th of October 2010.NYCC being a founding member organisation is so proud to be joining all the Nigerian Young climate leaders to share and learn at Gathering

The Conference marks the Grand Finale of the Annual Climate Change Youth Week from October 6th – 13th, 2010 celebrated by members and partners across Nigeria. The Week featured Advocacy, Capacity Building, Core Theatre Presentations, Global Work Party, Rally and Press Conference on the National Climate Change Bill for Nigeria.
The Conference aims to promote intergeneration dialogue and partnerships as the Nation prepares for Cancun Meeting in Mexico. It will also provide a plateform for members to share working experiences on youth engagment on climate change in the Country.

NYCC founder, Esther Agbarakwe is billed as one of the Disscusant during the forum on the social and human dimension of climate change, having actively participated at the Just concluded Seventh African Development Forum (ADVII) where she addressed the Opening forum on behalf of the African youth.

.

Special Features include:
- Conference Opening by Ministers of Environment and Youth.
- Fish-Bowl Discussions with Negotiators and Climate Experts.
- Endorsement of Nigerian Youth Position to COP16.
- Sign the Harmonize the Climate Change Bill Petition Campaign.

Pictures comming soon!

1st Ever Paper Recycling Workshop for Youths Held in Abuja, Nigeria

2010-09-20T02:46:00.000-07:00

The first important step towards a healthier world is environmental education as only knowledge can trigger change in behavior. In Nigeria everywhere you look you see one thing: paper. From posters and notebooks to cardboard boxes and magazines, paper is part of our everyday lives. Paper takes up over 40% of our waste stream, making it the top material that we throw away.

"AWARENESS TO ACTION" was the theme of this Year 1st Paper Recycling Workshop for youths in Abuja under the "Porject A2A Naija Recycling Project" the project is an education program designed to involve young people aged 18-25 in local environmental service projects like tree planting and home-made paper recycling. The Project is in collaboration with EarthRISE Nigeria, GCAP Nigeria and funded by Dekeyser&Friends Foundation.

The One-day Low Carbon Recycling Workshop for was held on 17th of Sept. 2010 at the conference room of actionaid Nigeria. The event brought youth between the ages of 18 - 35 years to learn about the environment and what youth can do to protect our planet. The event was also an opportunty to join GCAP clebrate the "stand-up" global event to make the MDG global campaign with the local theme "Make our Money work for us" There were sessions on "Nature Talk" using the Earth Charter Principles , "My Environment: My Role, My Responsibility and a group work. Participant also hands-on session on paper recycling.

The project aims to be select (via application) a few interested participants to move to recycling of papers to finished product (10 beneficiaries) the selected participants will be supported with most of the equipment to start.The recycled papers will used to produce greeting cards, Picture frames etc..(they too are allowed to be creative). Most people in Nigeria need greetings cards. Beneficiaries will also have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge, get connected inspired and involved. The first Recycled product will be exhibited and sold on 10/10/10 during the 350Naija Work Party.

News: Nigerian Youths Make Case for a Safer Climate future

2010-08-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

“OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR YEAR, OUR VOICE”, was the theme of this year’s first climate change youth forum held on August 16th 2010 at Shehu Musa Yaradua Center in Abuja to celebrate the International Year of Youth , which runs August 2010-2011.

The aim of the forum was to create awareness and increase knowledge of young people on issues that affect the environment, especially climate climate issues. The event was also an opportunity for young people to share experiences and dialogue with leaders of today, in order to raise leaders of tomorrow. The morning session included the launch of the “One House One Tree Campaign” with over 200 trees donated by the Abuja Green Society, and planted at the Mnifa Estate, Abuja. The event was organized by the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC)/ Youth Aid Organization for Africa (YAOFA) and VSO Nigeria (Volunteer Service Oversea)., in collaboration with Global Xchange Returned Volunteers Forum, Abuja Green Society (AGS), Women Environmental Programme (WEP) and funded by BNRCC (Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change) as part of its Engaging Naija Youth on Climate Change Project and
The event brought together young people from all sectors and parts of the country to engage in dialogue, collaborate and reflect on International Year of the Youth and the future steps towards a sustainable future in Nigeria where young people are rarely consulted on issues of global environmental governance.

Tree Planting, Launch of One House, One Tree Campaign

Over 200 participants attended this event, including NYSC MDG Group members, Partners, youth leaders, volunteers, and distinguished members of the media. The event had the honour of having the participation of Dr. Victor Fodeke, Head of the Special Climate Change Unit of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs Julia Ajayi, VSO Country Director, Dr Austin Uganwa, NASPA Project Coordinator, and Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Country Director of Action Aid.
In her Welcome remarks, Mrs Julia Ajayi emphasized the need for youth to step up and take action against the global climate change crisis. Dr. Fodeke, rallied the youth during his rousing presentation on ” Climate Change What You Need to Know” thanked the organizers and gave a goodwill message from the Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr John Odey.
The event was a wonderful occasion for participants to learn and inspire each other. A special feature was a “Live Talk Show’ where guest speakers were invited to share their leadership experiences with the “live studio audience”. One of the guests included Adewole Taiwo, a participant of President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Forum which was held at the White House in Washington DC recently.
The event also included a “Town Hall Meeting” where youth had the opportunity to speak to a panel of experts and mentors to raise their questions and concerns about the environment, climate change and how their role in governance and leadership in Nigeria’s future.

World Bank Nigeria Country office to Established a Working Group on Climate Change and Youth in Nigeria

2010-07-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition Members participated at the Inaugural World Bank Nigeria Youth Forum. The World Bank Youth Forum is an immediate outcome from the Video Conference on the World Bank Africa Action Plan. Consequent upon the need to deepen youth involvement in the Africa Action Plan development process, the World Bank Nigeria Country office decided to dedicate the Video Conference in Nigeria to providing space for the opinions of young people to be captured in the process.

The Objectives of the forum include:

1. To ensure youth mainstreaming into the Africa Action Plan consultation, development and implementation process

2. To provide advisory and technical support for the World Bank on youth development in Nigeria

3. To provide youth leaders a platform for continuous engagement with the World Bank and ensure youth participation at all levels.

At the meeting, youth leaders present had the unique opportunity to engage the World Bank Nigeria Country Director, at the brief interaction, he expressed that beyond the AAP process, the youth leaders present should come up with at least 3 things the World Bank in Nigeria should do for youth. After much deliberation, NYCC Founder and Cordinator Ms Esther Agbarakwe, ask what the World Bank is currently doing on Climate Change issues in Nigeria inregards to youth participation. The Country Director said that the WB will look into establishing a Working group on "Climate Change and Youth" This is welcome development as We at NYCC tries to advocate for Intergenerational dialouge and partnership for sustainability in Nigeria.

1st African Youth Summit on Climate Change – EN – FR

2010-07-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

The 1st African Youth Summit on Climate Change is organized by African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) to serve as an appropriate avenue where African youth can come together and discuss issues relating to various topics on climate change including the role of youth in adaptation and mitigation projects, public awareness and participation, biodiversity and active participation in UNFCCC negotiations. The Summit is open to young people from all over Africa interested and involved in initiatives aimed to tackle climate change and ensure sustainability. It will consist of informative sessions and skills-building workshops on climate change issues ranging from scientific knowledge to effective political advocacy.
20th -22nd August 2010
Kasarani Sport view Hotel
Nairobi, Kenya

FRENCH: Le 1er Sommet de la Jeunesse Africaine sur les Changements Climatiques est organisé par l’Initiative de la Jeunesse Africaine sur les Changements Climatiques (AYICC) afin de servir de rencontre appropriée au cours de laquelle la jeunesse africaine se réunira et discutera des questions et des sujets liés aux changements climatiques, y compris du rôle des jeunes dans les projets d’adaptation et d’atténuation, la prise de conscience publique, la biodiversité et la participation active des jeunes dans les négociations de la Convention-cadres des Nations Unies sur les Changements Climatiques. Le Sommet est ouvert aux jeunes gens originaires d’Afrique intéressés et impliqués dans les initiatives visant à combattre le réchauffement de la Terre et à assurer le développement durable. Il comportera des sessions instructives et des ateliers de renforcement des compétences sur les défis des changements climatiques, avec un accent mis sur l’amélioration des connaissances scientifiques pour un plaidoyer politique plus efficace.

Voici le lien pour postuler ou alors remplissez le formulaire word:
http://www.climatechange.ayicc.net/?p=20

The Organizing Team : http://www.climatechange.ayicc.net/

AYICC Africa (www.ayicc.net)

Engaging Naija Youth on Climate Change Project (April - Novermber 2010)

2010-07-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) has been contracted to implement a 8th-Month Youth Communication Projects towards building a Youth Response to Climate Change. The Project is knwn as Engaging Naija Youth on Climate Change Project. NYCC is Partnering with Youth Aid Organization for Africa (YAOFA) to implement this project. NYCC hopes to bring together (across states) youth led organizations with common interest to contribute to sustainable national development. The organization also makes for meaningful youth engagement in local and national climate policies in Nigeria, while inspiring and stimulating the growth of the culture of professionalism among young people working for sustainable environmental balance.

The Project is funded by Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change (BNRCC) through The Nigeria Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST).

Project Activities includes; Peer-Led Capacity Building, Establishment of Climate Change Clubs, Production and distribution of Youth friendly IEC material on Climate change, Youth Media Dialogue, tagged “Powershift Naija 2010″ and numerous networking activity. The project is was launched on April 23rd, 2010 during 2010 Earth Day Celebration and 350.org Climate MeetUp Event organised by NYCC in Abuja.

Post Copenhagen Youth Development Strategy (PCYDS)

2010-01-28T03:40:00.000-08:00

The Nigeria Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) is a network of young people that provides a robust platform where youth led organizations working on Climate Change and other sustainable environmental issues interact and learn from each other, thereby giving a united voice and coordinating young people’s response to climate Change issues, as it affects the socio-economic growth and development of Nigeria, nay Africa and the world at large.

As a youth coalition, efforts is on to develop & design a Post Copenhagen Youth Development Strategy (PCYDS) which will facilitate a youth response towards climate change impact mitigation& adaptation of post Copenhagen documents in the likes of today’s Nigeria peculiarities and environmental challenges

The strategy will formally launches a process of developing the Common Youth Climate Change Response Policy and Action Plan. In this regard, the Summit will lay a firm foundation for the policy development process and will also ensure that all stakeholders, both public and private, are clear on their roles and responsibilities in shaping this important policy.

NYCC Founder Particpate at UNFCCC COP 15 Conference in Copenhagen

2010-01-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Youth address world leaders at high-level plenary at UN Climate Summit, demanding governments commit to bold targets to ensure survival and climate justice.

COPENHAGEN – With over 1000 youth leaders from more than 100 countries gathered in Copenhagen, the International Youth Climate Movement at the UN Climate Summit today sent a powerful message to the assembled world leaders that governments must rise above the divisive politics of the past and show true leadership to ensure nothing less than the very survival of current and future generations.

“We have all worked for the past two years with the promise of a strong deal in Copenhagen to safeguard our future. Now it seems you will not get it done,” said Juan Carlos Soriano, a youth delegate from Peru, addressing the summit plenary. “This is unacceptable. We placed our trust in you. You should be ashamed.”

“Our rivers are drying up. Our crops are turning to dust. An unrelenting sun scorches our land while other areas are ravaged by storms and diseases,” said Esther Agbarakwe from Nigeria. “If developed countries set aside just 5% of their GNP for effective adaption by the most vulnerable countries, we will survive beyond 2050.”

“I came as a part of the Pacific youth delegation, but here I united with the Caribbean, the Maldivian, and the International Youth Climate Movement as a whole, calling out with one united voice for only 1.5 degrees of temperature rise and 350ppm of carbon concentration in the atmosphere”, said Krishneil Narayan from Fiji. “If the youth can unite as one movement at COP-15, we expect the leaders deciding our future to do the same, and deliver a legal binding treaty to ensure our survival.
Youth are calling for a Fair, Ambitious, Binding deal in Copenhagen, to avoid catastrophic climate change and ensure the survival of current and future generations, that:

•Ensures Climate Justice

•Limits global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 °C

•Reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide levels back down to 350 PPM or lower

•Commits developed countries to financing for adaptation of at least 5% GDP by 2020

•Reduces the emissions of developed countries at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2020

NIGERIAN ROAD TO COPENHAGEN: Youth Voices

2009-08-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Colleagues, friends and visitors,

Sequel to the on-going efforts of the Special Climate Change Unit of the Federal Ministry of Environment to seek stakeholders inputs into the Nigeria’s position, to engage the international negotiation process in Copenhagen. NYCC is volunteering seeking youths inputs on broad-based assessment of Nigeria’s current negotiation position in each of the Bali Plan of Actions at the UNFCCC as well as identify strategic gaps, and opportunities that can form an additional inputs into the on going negotiation positions for Nigeria and the Africa group.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD NOW! Remember that Our Climate is Our Future!

How has climate change affected you?

Do you think that the government can cutt down emissions by 2050?

What do you want Nigerian Government to do in Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change?

Please send your inputs to nigycc@gmail.com or post it on the NYCC facebook. page

These inputs will be shared at a forum organised by the Ministry of Environment in Abuja from August 20th - 22nd. The forum also provides an avenue for Nigerians to ask questions about issues of climate change and Nigeria contributions to the negotiation processes.

Sincerely

Esther Agbarakwe

Regional Coordinator, Africa.

UN Youth and Children Major Group

NYCC OPEN Meeting: Abuja. Lagos, Benin, and Kano

2009-07-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition will hold it first OPEN meeting for members and intending members in Abuja. This will be an opportunity to meet with each other and put all minds together while engaging constructively towards achieving our goal

Lagos event will be oragnised by Taiwo Adewole, while Kano Event by Kemi. More information can be found on the Facbeok group page

Venue: Youth Aid Organization for Africa (YAOFA), Conference room

983, Ahmadu Bello way, Opposite Legislative, Apo Abuja

Date : 8th July

Time: 4.00 pm

Agenda: 1st National Youth Climate Change Forum

1st National Youth Cliamte Change Forum Abuja 2009

2009-06-20T00:27:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

Today you have taken action by joing Nigeria Youth Climate Coalition. Let me remind us that we, Young people constitute an important and significant part of the global/national population, yet, we are not reflected in our level of involvement and inclusion in decision-making processes and public debates.

As the governments is focusing on responding to the special needs and opportunities of young people, it is vital that WE,young people are included in shaping policies and services aimed to serve US

It is on this background that Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition was Formed to harmonize youths effort towards combacting climate Change, and other sustainable development issues. It also on this backgroud that NYCC is planing to Stage and effectively organised the First Ever National Youth Climate Change Forum in Abuja come October 29th, International Day of Climate Action...

Objectives of the Forum include:

A. To provide an opportunity where youths can become aware of phenomena due to climate change and share conversations on it. In the process of the Forum, youths will find ways towards sustainable green development

B. To make youths get involved in dealing with climate change in an effective manner and in the process of green development in Nigeria: build youth leadership capacities as young climate actors in Nigeria

C. To strengthen and improve cooperation and mutual interest amongst youths and other generations towards achieving sustainable national development

d. To formally launch, the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition and re-launch African Youth Initiative on climate Change-Nigerian Chapter

Will you sit and Watch? or will you take action?

NYCC is calling on you to contribute what ever expertise or experince that you have to the sucess of the initiative...We know you will. This is our Initiative, our Nation.You will be writing a new History!!!

To contact the team, please email us at nigycc@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you soon

Best Regards

Esther Agbarakwe

Facilitator

Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition

2009-06-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

More than anyone else, we, the Youth, face unprecedented challenges as a result of global climate change. We also share the responsibility of addressing it. As a group, we are key moral stake-holders in the international processes treating the most important challenge of our generation: climate change. As it is our future, we will be disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.

It is critical for present and future leaders to collaborate on finding solutions and we have and will now, and continually, make our voices heard and participate in the Local, national and international processes that aim to cope with and stop dangerous climate change.

In the past, youth have already been important actors of the discussion on climate change and have extensively been represented and contributing to the UNFCCC and other negotiations. They have gathered some experience over the last years of being an active group of stake-holder at the Conference of the Parties and other meetings conveyed in the framework of the UNFCCC like UN CSD. Youth have had a consolidated participation to the processes, working effectively as a group and building mechanisms to better cooperate with the UNFCCC secretariat.

The Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition will bring youth organizations with common interest to contribute to sustainable National Development. NYCC will provide a platform for effective youth engagement in Local and National climate policies in Nigeria while inspiring and stimulating youth action on climate Change.

NYCC will build youth leadership capacity as Climate Actors in Nigeria

Yes We Can: our vision of a safe climate future in Nigeria.