Eranto, 21, is from Madagascar, where he is involved in the UNICEF-supported conservation project, the Malagasy Youth Network for Environment. Fresh from helping to organise a Youth Conference before the COP17 climate change summit in Durban, South Africa, he gives us his thoughts on the effects of climate change around the world, and how we should be fighting them.
Young Madagascan boys playing. © Kelley Lynch/UNICEF.
Climate change touches my life each day here in Madagascar. After a recent trip to the southern part of our island, where almost no primary forest is left and pressure on natural resources is growing more and more intense, I realised just how serious climate change causes and impacts have become.
Seeing this, I remain optimistic and committed to playing a role in my society as an agent of change. As a young Malagasy, I consider it a privilege to engage in this domain, as climate change is affecting not only my country but the entire world, and I want my positive impact to be felt.
Some people say that environmental organisations are supposed to deal with climate change, or that the rich countries responsible should solve the problem, but I disagree; every citizen in every country must engage on this critical issue! Developed countries must ensure adequate finance for adaptation in Africa, but if we’re going to adapt to climate change effectively, the current top-down, government-focused approach needs to adapt as well, and funds need to reach community-level projects where young people can get involved. If I could share one message with the world leaders and decision-makers, it would be this!