Youth activist Adia Daniel calls for urgent climate action at UNICEF Executive Board meeting

A 17-year-old climate and youth mental health activist from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has delivered a powerful plea for strengthened international action on climate change. Adia Daniel, speaking at the UNICEF Executive Board's first-ever Special Focus Session on Climate Change and Children on September 5th in New York, shared personal stories of the devastation caused by hurricanes and extreme weather events in the Caribbean.

Daniel emphasized the urgent need for climate action, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on children and young people in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). She called for increased investment in climate mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as greater involvement of children and young people in decision-making processes.

"How many more hurricanes and extreme climate crisis events are we going to endure until we act effectively?" Daniel questioned. "This is not a warning, more so, a plea for strengthened action."

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell echoed Daniel's concerns, stating that the global climate crisis is a child rights crisis. She emphasized the need for increased investment in climate-resilient social services and programs to protect children's health, education, and well-being.

The Special Focus Session also heard from other speakers, including UNICEF Youth Advocate for Latin America and the Caribbean, who highlighted the insufficient funding for climate change initiatives directed towards children.

“I think that we must include children not just because they are at the frontline of the climate crisis… they are citizens, they are subjects of rights and it’s our duty and the obligation of the states to include us in the discussion… children can participate, can contribute and it’s their right.” 

This story was first published by UNICEF Eastern Caribbean.