Dear African Leaders,

At this moment, in collaboration with other leaders of the world, you are meeting in Egypt in order to decide on our future and make commitments to tackle the climate crisis, we expect you to consider our demands. As Africans, we consider development as living in harmony with nature. We work on the ground and are in daily touch with our communities on the frontlines of our heating planet. Based on that, we want you to consider the following points during your discussions:

  • Community service: environmental activities should be part of the education system’s curriculum, where school children are helping their local communities, community gardens, environmental education, identifying local vegetation and other biodiversity, waste management and water saving methods.
  • The education system: children should learn about climate change and its causes, as well as the local ecosystems they live in and depend on. Youth must be intellectually, psychologically and physically prepared to deal with climate change and other environmental matters. Support the creation of environmental clubs in schools, it starts with educating the youth, having organic gardens and vegetable gardens in their school and to practice healthy living. Planting fruit trees in schools, under which children may enjoy a healthy lunch, is a good place to start.
  • Ecological cities: green spaces in the urban center, creation of parks and green lungs in and around cities, as well as the promotion of ecological agriculture;
  • Forests: trees must no longer be considered as commodities for export. Selling our wildlife or our rainforests is selling out our future. We want to show the world that we are rich thanks to the Congo Basin forest and other forests across the continent in the upcoming 50 years – renouncing forests for foreign currency is reckless and unforgivable.
  • Oceans: Protect our oceans from micro plastics and stop exporting our fish; local communities need fish to feed their families. Our marine ecosystems need a chance to breathe.
  • Vulnerable communities: Climate change leaves communities vulnerable to emergencies. From KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa to Kousseri in Cameroon, to Kinshasa in the DRC, this year we have recorded many floods, with an unprecedented record of 2 million displaced persons in Nigeria alone. Others in Kenya, Somalia and elsewhere are facing devastating droughts.Our communities were not prepared and need support. We need climate adaptation along with mitigation plans.

The world must move towards a green revolution, and Africa must lead the way. On our behalf, make good and brave decisions for our future. Let us be part of the process that will shape our future. As youth, our voices must count not only as future leaders, but as present leaders in our physical and digital communities. Please, be aware of the effect that your resolutions will have on us. Should you make the right decisions – count on us to stand with you. If you can’t make the right decisions – please make way for others who can.

Best Regards.