Nkiruka Nnaemego's Page

G6 Statement on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Nigeria, 2009

The Coordinator,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Great Youth Leaders of Today.
We the members of G6 commend the organizers of the Youth Academy for demonstrating great leadership by providing a platform for young people to meet with policymakers to discuss key issues affecting the nation.
Indeed, Nigeria is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Unpredictable rains and floods, prolonged droughts, subsequent crop failures and rapid desertification, among other signs of global warming, have already begun to change the face of Nigeria. Unfortunately, the generation that destroys the environment may not be the one that pays the price. It is the future generations that will confront the consequences of the destructive activities of the current generation. We have a responsibility to protect the rights of generations, of all species, that cannot speak for themselves today.
As youth, we are among the group most affected by unmitigated global climate change, the dangers of the proliferation of nuclear energy, and failures to address global poverty. We know that the global challenges of climate change and poverty demand our persistent efforts. We are therefore deeply concerned with the levels of poverty, environmental degradation and the threat and risks of climate change on our country and globally. Recognizing the urgency of limiting the impacts of the global climate as well as the importance of meaningful youth participation in program design, implementation, and evaluation on climate change adaptation, we hereby:
 Affirm the reality and urgency of climate change and the adverse negative impact it has on humanity, particularly on impoverished and vulnerable communities in Nigeria. We have failed to acknowledge the fact that the earth sustains life because of the harmonious balance of the elements and all the creatures therein. Our pursuit of “happiness and high quality of life” need not endanger other peoples, nations, communities, species and future generations that are also entitled to survival and happiness. The earth has enough resources to satisfy everyone’s need, but not enough resources for anyone’s greed.

 Welcome the commitment of our leaders to take responsibility for developing our country, and to set further measures designed to help us build the successful future all of us want to see, many of which will be applicable to other poor countries. These actions must be undertaken in a coordinated and coherent manner and should accelerate the self-sustaining growth of our society, tackle climate change and promote clean technologies, while pursuing energy security and sustainable development.

 We urge our governments to propose and support principles based on justice, equity and responsibility in the climate change debate especially during the Copenhagen Conference. These will go a long way to secure fair and just commitments for the post 2012 period. Unless decisive action is taken immediately, climate chaos will lead to increased human suffering and social upheaval condemning millions of people to hunger, disease, misery and death.

 We call upon our governments to Affirm the political will to address climate change and to allocate adequate public resources to education for increased resilience and adaptation initiatives.

 We also call on institutions and programs (such as GTZ, SIDA, USAID, DFID, British Council, CIDA, among others) that are currently active in the field of climate science, agricultural development and climate change adaptation to increase their support for adaptation as well as encourage Government agencies to scale up their adaptation commitment.

 On our part, We, the members of G6, hereby commit ourselves to work, engage and challenge our constituents, our governments, partners, governments of industrialized countries, the African Union, United Nations and other stakeholders in ensuring that climate change and its adverse effects as already experienced or projected is mitigated.

 We are committed to work with our Government, UNEP, Development partners, the Media, and all stakeholders towards ensuring environmental sustainability and urge all to give due regard to our concerns and contributions.

 We commend the efforts of other people worldwide especially the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC) in Canada and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) in Australia in directly engaging their Members of Parliament (MPs) to share ideas and demand action on Climate Change.

Finally, we enjoin all Youth Leaders to join us in our campaign to involve young people in climate change and environment issues.
G6 Signatories:
1. Nkiruka Nnaemego, Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative, Abuja, Nigeria
2. Ibukun Ajeniya, Voluntary Service Overseas, Abuja, Nigeria
3. Gloria Woyinkari Ikibah, Andromeda Productions, Abuja, Nigeria
4. Wilson Onyeanula, Alcohol Prevention Youth Initiative, Abuja, Nigeria
5. Uche Ogbajie, GEIS, Abuja, Nigeria
6. Michael -Donovan Ezeilo, NESREA, Abuja, Nigeria
Full list of endorsements
1. Mr. Brian Browne, Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, Abuja, Nigeria
2. Dr. Sam Amadi, Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, Abuja, Nigeria