2 minute read
Democracy and activism
The final session of the conference was opened by Camilla Born,
Deputy Director of Strategy for COP26 at the UK Cabinet
Office. As a youth climate activist, Born was involved in both the
UK Youth Climate Coalition and the Youth Constituency of the
UNFCCC (YOUNGO). She offered three pieces of advice to young people preparing to participate in the UNFCCC climate meetings in Glasgow: • Spend time building strong working relationships with climate officials • You have the most power and leverage where you have ‘skin in the game’, for example on 'Action for Climate Empowerment' (the UNFCCC term for work under Article 6 of the Climate
Convention, and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement, which covers climate education) • Focus on what you can realistically ‘get over the line’ during the two weeks of the COP26 summit, and act early to shape what is possible.
William Eccles shared information about The Commitment, a campaign for voters to pledge to vote for candidates who prioritise climate action and biodiversity conservation. The goal of this initiative is to send a clear message to politicians that climate and the natural world should be higher up on their political agendas. The Commitment is also a platform for voters to share personal messages about why the environment is a voting priority for them. Eccles referenced the recent publication Britain Talks Climate by Climate Outreach, which identified seven segments of the electorate, based on different political motivations. He shared data on the percentage of each segment that prioritises climate policy considerations when voting, to inform our ensuing discussions.105 The final speaker was Katie Hodgetts, a campaigner for the UK Youth Climate Coalition and founder of the Resilience Project, which supports young activists as they navigate eco-anxiety
and burnout. Hodgetts emphasised that activism has a tangible impact, referencing the anti-fracking campaigns that resulted in a Government ban on the controversial extraction of shale gas. She also invited young people to participate in all forms of activism, with no specific skills, knowledge or personality types required. ‘The only prerequisite you need to be a youth activist is that you exist, now, on a burning and unjust planet.’ The following discussion explored what it is that motivates politicians. The key message was: if you want to influence a politician, use your vote to do so. Panellists also reflected on their informal conversations with Government ministers, in which ministers have been quick to appreciate the connection between environmental concerns and making sure that their children have a positive future. In breakout groups, participants explored specific demands to put to climate officials and world leaders at COP26, with the final plenary resulting in the recommendations outlined below. Participants’ draft recommendations were reviewed and critiqued by conference participants and further climate change experts and activists, at the virtual consultation convened by Cumberland Lodge in June 2021.
‘I hope to see a green recovery from COVID-19, in a world where we have learnt from the positive lessons of the pandemic. Above and beyond that, I would hope to see a sustainable future that incorporates equality for all.’
