A significant event about one of the world’s most important problems, climate change, took place in Lund, Sweden from Nov. 13 to 15 with the cooperation of Lund University and the Lund Youth Council. Klimatting ETT, or climate gathering, was a gathering for youth between the ages 12 and 25. More than 300 people from 13 countries participated in the event.
My teammate Nil Döğerlioğlu and I took part in the event with our teacher Elif İnkaya. We were a part of the world youth and we were also there as representatives of Turkey.
Global, local and individual facts of global warming were discussed for three days. The nine most-voted solutions and recommendations were listed at the final declaration.
One of the resolutions was that the participants will present a proposal to introduce a global bank for Climate Action, to which all countries must pay 2 percent of their GDP, or gross domestic product.
The young people stressed most of all the importance of education in climate and sustainability issues. Most votes received a proposal that recommended a strategic investment in education for sustainable development, ranging from nursery, primary and secondary schools to politicians, adults and seniors in the community. Formal, informal and non-formal education for sustainable development are all crucial pieces in order to establish this.
Legally binding regulations were another resolution included in The Climate Gathering Recommendations. Other recommendations contained campaigns on the theme “Plastic bag kills,” green canteens in schools and an Eco Week. Levying taxes on all environmentally harmful products and an education system from kindergarten to seniors in environmental behavior were other recommendations.
In addition to these proposals came several other ideas that might become a reality. For example, how about a system equivalent to Weight Watchers points, but on greenhouse gases?
The recommendation on early childhood education system was narrated by me, Gülşah Akkay, to all participants and had its strong place in the declaration.
The declaration will be sent to COP15, or the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, to be submitted to the leaders as suggestions of the youth.
During these discussions, we were one voice, even though we were coming from completely different places. For all of us, the important thing wasn’t the money in our bank account, but the happy years that we can live with our children. Discussions made me tolerant to what others thought. Lectures made me aware that there is still too much to learn. Narrating our team’s decisions in the general assembly as a speaker in front of 300 people made me self-confidant. It was such an event that made me believe it is time to “take action.” The result may vary from, “at least you will get some satisfaction,” to at most, “you can rule the world.” So being a voice from Turkey was an honor for me. Representing Turkey and at the same time being an individual, being myself, were beatific.
As world youth, we did what we should be doing. We combined different thoughts to create awareness especially in politicians. Because, I believe they are the only ones who can make a difference. In this gathering, we had this strong feeling that we are the only ones who can push them to make a difference!
Source:hurriyetdailynews.com/
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