Meet the young journalists

December 2009: Meet the Plan-supported young journalists from Indonesia, Kenya, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK who are quizzing world leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Read their reports from the conference.

Aakash, UK

My name is Aakash. I am 15 years old, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, and I will be one of the Plan-supported young journalists at the UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen (COP15).
 
From as young as 7 years old I have had an interest in climate change. When I learnt about deforestation and recycling, I insisted at home that we recycled everything that I got my hands on. I have come to understand the dire effects climate change will have on OUR generation so I am one of many fighting to save OUR planet.

Going to COP15 will be the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. It has been described as “the most important meeting of humankind” and I will ensure that the voice of young people is not forgotten.

I intend to question our political leaders on what plans and strategies they have in place for young people to take action on climate change and compare with countries like the US, India, China and various third world countries… But I would love to hear from you! What should we ask in Copenhagen?

Annie, UK

I am Annie, a 15-year-old student from Gloucestershire. I believe that climate change is a massive problem but can be solved – so I am trying to help, and going to the conference in Copenhagen I want to encourage others to do their bit too, from young people like me to the big names like Barack Obama and Gordon Brown!

Climate change is already affecting people’s lives and we can stop it to make sure it doesn’t get any worse, so we don’t have to live with it.

I want to meet everyone at Copenhagen. Politicians who aren’t always in the public eye, big names like Barack and Gordon, youth delegations or other young people, and protesters. I would like to ask the politicians: “If there was a punishment for not complying to the reduction targets set do you think that would be fair, if not why?”

To ask politicians this next question would be brilliant! “If a solid deal is not made at Copenhagen won’t you feel guilty for not trying hard enough to make a difference for your children, nieces and nephews? You have the power.”

Who do YOU want us to interview at Copenhagen?

Beatrice, Kenya

I am Beatrice. I’m 13 years old and the sixth born in my family. I live with my sister in a small village about 200km from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya… It receives an annual rainfall of 250mm. It is highly populated so competition for the available resources is high. Climate change is affecting my community directly.

I am privileged to be part of the Plan-supported young journalists at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. I am hoping to do my best in representing Kenyan children and youth. I will share ideas with children from different countries on how to cope with the effects of the harsh climate and how to try to conserve the environment, and then share the information that I gather with other children.

I am looking forward to the day when all the people will understand better use of resources and change the climate for better. We are the future leaders and if we understand the effects of climate change now, later in life we can save our countries.

Büsra, Sweden

My name is Büsra and I’m 17 years old. I’m from Turkey but live in Sweden with my family. I have an identical twin, called Esra. I live in Stockholm and I’m studying at a school with focus on hållbar utveckling – sustainable development.

The time has come to do something about the climate change and the unfairness in the world. I want to change and be a part of the changes in the world, and with the other Plan-supported  young journalists in Copenhagen I think I will do great work.

It is a great honour for me. We know that many children don’t know their rights and haven’t the knowledge about what to do, to stop the consequences of climate change. They are intelligent, and if they get to know and spread what they know they can together make change.

At home, I have converted my big family to a more climate smart family. I hope that, at Copenhagen, they will agree, and after the meeting really start working for climate change and children’s rights.

Carl, Sweden

My name’s Carl. I’m from Uppsala, near Stockholm and I turn 17 during our time at COP15.

Living in Sweden is the most natural thing in the world, which makes it difficult to describe. I spend time with my family, go to school, hang out with friends, do homework, play with my dog and play the piano.

Everybody should take interest in the national and international issues and take part in the democratic process. Climate change is one of those issues and children are part of populations all over the world. I will be a great representative for our group back in Sweden, so that we all get the most out of this. This experience is also important for my own development and learning in journalism, environment issues and politics. And of course, I have the best of expectations that this will be very challenging and a lot of fun.

The importance of climate change as an issue is a no-brainer. It especially concerns younger people as it is our world, the world of tomorrow, that will face the toughest outcomes of global warming. We see direct outcomes of climate change already today, which makes the call for action only more urgent.  

Dita, Indonesia

Hi there! My name is Dita. I’m 17 years old and I live in Bangka Island, in Indonesia.

The place where I live now is in dangerous conditions. There are so many tin mining activities which cause serious damage in the environment. The tin miners just think about their life today. They do not care for their future generations. That is why being a part of the Plan-supported young journalists at Copenhagen is very important to me. By attending that conference I hope it can open my mind of how to solve the bad impact of climate change and do a real action to rescue my island.

Joseph, Kenya

I am Joseph. I am 12 years old... My country, Kenya, is experiencing the impacts of climate change.

Joining the Plan-supported young journalists at Copenhagen is important to me because it will improve my knowledge on how climate change has affected my country and the whole world. It will give me a chance to ask leaders from developed and developing countries what they are doing to reduce activities that lead to the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere. I will also meet children and young people from other parts of the world other than Africans.

I am a member of my primary school environmental club. I have participated in many environmental conservation activities, learning about climate change and shooting a BBC film on effects of climate change. I am looking forward to being in Denmark, representing others and then educating others after the conference.

Karida, Indonesia

Hi! My name is Karida. I’m 15 and I live in Jakarta, where the people are really friendly. Jakarta is historical and multicultural, where it is very easy to see and learn about other cultures. And multicultural means there is a variety of delicious food available.

It is important to me to be one of the Plan-supported young journalists because I really want to look on how the representatives of the countries represent their countries, handle the climate change issues in the world and of course in their own countries.

Climate change will affect my future in terms of how I live. I am especially looking forward to visiting Denmark and meeting other young delegates.

Leon, UK

Hi! My name is Leon. I’m 17, from Grimsby in the North East of the UK, which is a nice town but is generally dull and wet.

I've worked with Plan as a member of their Youth Advisory Board for about 2 years and I have a keen interest in youth participation. I was so pleased to discover that Plan was supporting a group of young journalists at Copenhagen. Young people speak the truth and climate change threatens our future. Together we can change that whilst at the Copenhagen talks. It's time for young people to 'be a part of it'.

Climate change will dictate our future. The issue of climate change is staring at us in the face, yet nothing is being done about it. As the future, it's down to us to clean up the mess. So today we should be part of discussions and action on climate change.

What am I looking forward to most? ALL OF IT! I can’t wait. It will be great to meet so many fantastic people.

Marius, Netherlands

Hi! I’m Marius. I’m 16 and I live in a quiet neighborhood near the busy city of Rotterdam!

Climate change will have the deepest impact on young people and therefore we should be present at Copenhagen. And there is no better way to represent us than sending students to Copenhagen! I really like to write and discuss about topics on climate change. It is probably the most important issue for young people all over the world, because if we do nothing the difference between poor and rich will become bigger and bigger.

Another reason is that the generation of people who are young now will be affected the most and will have to come up with solutions. So I want to approach as much people as possible and talk with them about the climate change and how this will affect us. I am proud that I can join the youth board in Copenhagen. I will write daily articles for a big newspaper in the Netherlands!

Reina, Indonesia

Hey, my name is Reihana, but everyone calls me Reina. I am a 13-year-old girl from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Being a Plan-supported young journalist at Copenhagen is important for me because climate change affects my life. Children who will inherit this planet should treat climate change significantly. After all, we will be the victims. Being able to write about the COP15 is truly remarkable – writing is my passion. I want to be the ‘agent of change’, because 'change' is something that we all seek for a greener generation.

Climate change is such an important issue for young people who grow up in developed and developing countries. For those in developed countries, it is important that they are aware so that they will manage their electricity better, whereas for the young people in developing countries, it can impact their daily lives.