SDG #13, Climate Action: Global Summits, School Strikes & The Right to a Future

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SDG #13, Climate Action: Global Summits, School Strikes & The Right to a Future

As a parent, I know: our children fear for their future. But this generation’s youth are not sitting idle while hoping that the adults are going to muddle their way through to a solution to the climate crisis—the youth are sending a message loud and clear that we need to act with the urgency it demands. 

The tipping point is now with clear threats from violent hurricanes, the burning Amazon, melting ice, and much more reaching unprecedented levels. It is each of our responsibility to seek solutions that address the problem at all scales bridging from individual to global and systemic.

September 2019 is a perfect time to focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #13: Climate Action. And for several good reasons! 

First, the United Nations (UN) Climate Action Summit is taking place September 23, 2019, in New York. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) website announces, “The UN 2019 Climate Summit will convene on the theme, ‘...A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.’ It will seek to challenge states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens to step up action in the areas of energy transition, climate finance and carbon pricing, industry transition, nature-based solutions, cities and local action, and resilience.”

Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived in New York on August 28 and will be a speaker at the UN Climate Action Summit. The Swedish 16-year-old sailed across the Atlantic on the Malizia II. The Malizia is a zero-emission vessel with the help of solar panels and underwater turbines that generate electricity. She will also attend the COP25 in Santiago, Chile, in December. The United Nations welcomed her arrival with 17 sailboats representing each of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (each sailboat printed with an SDG on its sail, see photo above), including gender equality, the elimination of poverty and climate action (SDG 13).

Just two days after Thunberg arrived, up to 1000 young protesters with Fridays for Future NYC joined her outside the UN Headquarters in Manhattan. They have invited everyone to join them for Global Climate Strikes on Friday, September 20, and again the following Friday, September 27, when they will join Earth Strike.

Below is a list of upcoming events and other important links.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The Right To A Future, Live Webcast
September 9, 2019 [Recording Below]
The Intercept invites you to a special event in New York City hosted by senior correspondent Naomi Klein and headlined by trailblazing climate activist Greta Thunberg. Together with youth leaders Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Xiye Bastida, and Vic Barrett, Greta and Naomi will help us visualize a just and sustainable future, confront our climate emergency, and discuss the emerging cross-generational, transnational movement that is our best hope for a sustainable planet.

Global Climate Strike
September 20 & 27, 2019
Join young people for global climate strikes and a week of actions to demand an end to the age of fossil fuels and climate justice for everyone. Find and RSVP for an event near you.

CLIMATE ACTION SUMMIT 2019: United Nations
September 23, 2019
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all leaders to come to New York with concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020, in line with reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent over the next decade, and to net zero emissions by 2050.

UN Youth Climate Summit
September 21, 2019
The UN Youth Climate Summit is a platform for young leaders who are driving climate action to showcase their solutions at the United Nations, and to meaningfully engage with decision-makers on the defining issue of our time. This historic event will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as part of a weekend of events leading up to the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit on Monday, September 23.

COP 25: Santiago Climate Change Conference: United Nations
December 2019
COP 25/CMP 15/CMA 2 will take place in Parque Bicentenario Cerrillos in Santiago de Chile, Chile from 2 to 13 December with a pre-sessional period from 26 November to 1 December 2019. Chile will be the host of the world’s most important climate change event, bringing together 196 countries, the European Union, and various environmental organizations.

IN THE NEWS:

Most American teens are frightened by climate change, poll finds, and about 1 in 4 are taking action (The Washington Post)

Teen activist Greta Thunberg arrives in New York by boat, putting ‘climate crisis’ in spotlight

Millions gear up to take part in September’s global climate strikes, week of escalation (350.org): Organizers say it is on course to be the largest-ever global mobilization for climate action, with over 6000 people in 150 countries already pledging to organize events. (350.org)

Greta Thunberg, Climate Activist, Arrives in N.Y. With a Message for Trump (New York Times)
The Swedish 16-year-old sailed across the Atlantic on an emissions-free yacht to speak at the U.N. Climate Action Summit next month.

Recorded Live Video of Greta Thunberg and crew arriving in NY (NBC News):

Greta Thunberg's zero carbon journey: 'I might feel a bit seasick' (BBC News)

MISCELLANEOUS:

UN Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action

Road Map to Climate Action Summit 2019

United Nations Live WebTV (Live coverage of the Climate Action Summit will be available)

Current Legislation (Passed House): H.R.9 - Climate Action Now Act, United States 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Climate Action Now Act: This bill requires the U.S. President to develop and update annually a plan for the United States to meet its nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement on climate change.