BY JOY OFASIA
SOLOMON Islands Climate Change Advocator Ms. Gladys Habu has demanded global decision-makers at the 7th Global National Adaptation Plan Conference to recognize the work of Pasifika youths in their fight against the impact of climate change.
“If it is our future that is at stake, you must entrust us with the shared responsibility to support you in this fight,” said Ms. Habu at this year’s 7th Global National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo that took place from 22 to 26 August 2022 at the Gaborone International Convention Center in Botswana, Southern Africa.
This year, Ms. Habu was honored to represent and amplify the Pasifika youth voice on the global stage, especially to seek answers from global decision-makers on how the NAP can help in transforming and surviving the pacific youth’s perspectives on where they are now and where they should be.
The young advocator pointed out to the participants of the NAP conference that what challenges her the most as she looked around the room is that youths are still under-represented.
“If it is our future that is at stake, you must entrust us with the shared responsibility to support you in this fight,” she argued. “So why aren’t you investing in us? or let me ask you in this way, where you are seated now, are you sure you have all the knowledge you need to fully transform into a climate-safe future, is this something your eyes can foresee, because if you are unsure then you are not inclusive enough.”
She made mention that they could have all these amazing plans, but without contextualizing them and without investing in active implementers, they are on a snail’s journey whilst livelihoods are rapidly degrading.
“I am grateful that regardless so many young people continue to play an immense part in transforming lives in our communities.
“Personally as someone who has advocated for the declaration of a climate emergency in the pacific so that the large carbon emitters can see for themselves the urgency of their responsibilities.
“I am pleased to say that as of July this year, the pacific Forum leaders have declared a climate emergency and the new Australian Government has indicated its willingness to co-host a UN Corp with pacific neighbors in the not too distant future,” Ms. Habu said.
She pointed out that these are two out of many examples of the result of actions that many young people have long been advocating for.
“If you want to help us include us more, come to us and teach us.”
Ms. Habu has been a climate advocator who has been driven by the loss of her grandparent’s family island called Kali in the Solomon Islands which she calls the most unforgettable personal encounter in 2009.
She later acknowledged the amazing work that the Pasifika youths are doing for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) campaign gearing up for this year’s 77th Session of the UN General Assembly that will be held from 13 to 27 September 2022 in New York, United States of America.
She said the Pasifika youths are working together to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ in a quest that is currently led at the state level by the government of Vanuatu with the backing of 79 states and over 1500 civil society organizations.
