Hereford Climate Conference
On Wednesday the 26th of June at the Hereford youth climate conversation Zara showed us her passion about saving the planet and informed us about what we can do to make a change as the youth of the world. She started by informing us on the 'Global Plastics Treaty' that her and her brother went to as a part of the only four under eighteen year olds. From this she emphasised how important it is that we as youth do something about the climate because although the decisions of the Treaty are deciding our future we are not having a say in what the treaty says. After this she told us about the impact we are having on the climate and then she gave us ideas about what we can do to make this change that is so important for us to do. Some of these were to get into contact with the government, do something in our lives to make a positive impact, share social media posts particularly from small organisations and use less plastic. This presentation from Zara was very informative and inspiring to make more of a change with our plastic consumption to have a positive impact on our futures.
- Zara
The Climate Conversation by Nia
Recently the HCA (Hereford College of Art) contacted Rural Media to ask if our POV Producers would be interested in taking part in a climate event to discuss issues surrounding climate change and pollution, and screening a film made by the art college students about the climate crisis. We attended to try and input our views and have an inclusive and progressive discussion about the different facets of the climate crisis and impacts it has had on people. This included a talk from our very own POV Producer, Zara, who is an anti-plastic ambassador and advocate for change surrounding the climate crisis. She outlined the various impacts plastic has on our world, and different solutions to the problem, including the pending global plastics treaty which she attended. This allowed us to see these problems in a different light and help pave the way to opening new discussions in the future surrounding the global climate crisis.
My Climate Thoughts
And that’s true, I by myself, have virtually no power. As a young person, I have limited ways to express myself and my opinion without being looked down upon, or my opinions infantilized by adults who still wish to deny their role in the production of the problem. I can post my opinions and call to action on the internet like so many others, but am likely to be called ‘paranoid’, or accused of fear mongering/triggering others ‘climate anxiety’. However, I am not unsympathetic to this point of view. I think, like many, I have some form of ‘climate anxiety’, being very nervous to the point of panic whenever I have to think of the implications around my future and the impact climate change will have on it. I am terrified to think that my generation will have to survive in a world where summers are too hot to live in, animals we haven’t even discovered yet are going extinct, and ancient cities and landmarks we will desecrate because of our own selfishness. That’s not to even mention bringing kids of our own into the picture. Even without my own doubts about ever having children, I don’t envy the next few generations who will have to survive with our negligence to solve the problem that people today are unwilling to even acknowledge.
To me, climate is the personification of how the general public today chooses to ignore and overlook problems rather than try to solve them. You see people talking about how well we’re doing, the advancements we’re making towards the healing of the planet. Which is good, don’t get me wrong, but it feels like nobody is focusing on the immediate amount of damage we are still doing. The greed we as a consumerist society exhibit, is enabling fossil fuel giants and major companies to contribute over half of the waste and pollutants we emit every year without consequences or limitations. Although there are stricter guidelines and policies put in place every year for the public, governments continue to let these companies get away without adhering to these laws or giving them loopholes in order to continue profiting off of the products they make. Anyway, to get back to the actual point, i think we have to focus on the negative in order to actually make proper progress. You can’t find solutions without looking at the problems or confronting the main contributors to the issue an individual has virtually no power over.
I want to believe that we can change for the better, and unite to create change. I do think we have the capacity for it. But it is discouraging to see people who do have platform speak out and become attacked or ridiculed for trying to raise awareness about their specific issue; that or put down others by spreading fear, hate and misinformation about the current environment we live in. Without taking some time to look at ourselves and our denial of this situation, I don’t think we can move forward. That is my sincere hope for the future. - Nia
Zara: My Global Plastics Treaty Experience
I had the honour of attending the 4th round of the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations (INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada from the 23rd-29th of April!
Despite over 2,500 people taking part, INCLUDING 196 FOSSIL FUEL LOBBYISTS, my brother Ashton Hawkins (13) and I (15) were two of only four under 18s present at the entire event! This was due to a very long and non-inclusive registration process for those under 18yrs.
We attended thanks to the Captain Planet Foundation (CPF), who has supported Hidden Plastic from the start. Also attending under Captain Planet Foundation, was Robin Okunowo (from CPF,) and youth activists: Diego Arreola Fernández (founder of Green Speaking, from Mexico) and Dejea Lyons (winner of the Diana Legacy Award, from the Cayman Islands).
During our time in Ottawa, we were able to observe the nations negotiate, attend side events and meet some truly inspirational people in the fight against plastic. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the opportunity to deliver an intervention, since the plenary only opened for observers twice. However, fellow youth activists Fiona Brown (14, from Canada) and Aeshnina Azzahra Aqilani (16, from Indonesia) were able to speak, and delivered messages on behalf of ALL under 18s.
Our highlights included:
Meeting with delegates from some of the negotiating countries, including the UK, USA & Fiji
Watching some awe-inspiring side events on youth plastic justice, plastic’s effects on the global south, plastic packaging alternatives & the fight against plastic pollution in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) + the Galapagos
Being featured on the main Canadian news channel (CBC)
Meeting with some of the world’s leading plastic scientists at the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty’!
The Global Plastics Treaty is a huge opportunity to end the plastic problem once and for all. While great progress has so far been made, very little attention was paid in the text itself towards putting a cap on the production of plastics. Instead, focus went into recycling and other downstream measures. While these are important, it's essential that we ‘turn off the tap’ on plastic production to stop this environmental catastrophe at the source.
The connections and memories made from this experience in Ottawa are priceless. I’m so grateful to have been a part of this treaty negotiation and hope to attend INC-5 in Busan, South Korea later this year!
