• Terminology – Climate

• Download Copy of UNICEF’s Election Guide

• Ireland’s Adaptation platform by EPA Climate Ireland

• Informative Website NASA Climate Change Information

• UNICEF’s Climate Resources for Activists

• The World Counts

The issue of climate change, as highlighted by the recent ‘red alert’ issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), is of paramount importance for young people to care about. With every major global climate record being shattered last year and projections indicating that 2024 could be even worse, the urgency of addressing climate change cannot be overstated.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to the long-term consequences of climate change, as they will inherit a planet profoundly altered by environmental degradation, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. Bad weather like storms, floods, and wildfires is happening more often as a result. In 2022, 85,000 people across 16 EU countries were displaced from their homes due to weather-related disasters. This figure will include many thousands of children in the EU. While this scale of displacement is relatively small compared to an average (2016-21) of over 7 million children displaced annually across the globe, the risk of such events and extended impacts in Europe is increasing, as outlined in UNICEF’s The State of Children in the European Union Report 2019-2024.

Irish young people should think about the climate crisis when they consider the upcoming EU and local elections for multiple reasons:

• Global Nature of Climate Change: Climate change is a global challenge that requires international cooperation. The European Union plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts to address climate change on a larger scale, as environmental issues often transcend national borders.
• Climate Targets and Commitments: The European Union has set ambitious climate targets, such as the goal to become climate-neutral by 2050. Decisions made at the EU level must be translated in to local actions. Young people’s involvement in elections ensures that representatives are committed to achieving these goals.
• Funding and Support: The EU provides financial support and resources to member states to implement sustainable practices and address climate-related challenges. Local officials implement those practices to make them a reality in your communities.
• Policy Coherence: Climate action is not only an environmental concern but also intersects with various policy areas, including energy, transportation, and agriculture. EU decisions on these policy areas have a direct impact on Ireland’s ability to transition to a low-carbon economy. Young people’s engagement in elections ensures a coherent and integrated approach to climate policies.
• Local Impact: While global efforts are crucial, the impact of climate change is often felt most directly at the local level. Local elections provide an opportunity to address specific issues related to climate change, such as sustainable urban planning, public transportation, waste management, and local environmental conservation efforts.

Right to a Safe Home: The climate crisis contributes to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and natural disasters, leading to displacement and loss of homes for many families. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to the impacts of climate-induced displacement, jeopardizing their right to a stable and secure home.

Right to a Healthy Planet: The degradation of the environment due to climate change poses a direct threat to children’s right to grow up in a healthy and sustainable environment. Increased air pollution, water scarcity, and exposure to hazardous conditions can negatively impact children’s physical health and well-being.

Best Interest of the Child: The long-term consequences of climate change, including ecological disruptions, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity, jeopardize children’s right to a sustainable future. Failure to address the climate crisis now could lead to a world that is less habitable, less resilient, and less able to support future generations. Decisions being made now are not in line with the best interests of children, now and in the future.

Right to Education: Climate-related events, such as extreme weather conditions, can disrupt education systems, affecting children’s right to quality education. Displacement, damage to infrastructure, and changes in local conditions can hinder children’s access to learning opportunities.

Disproportionate Impacts on Vulnerable Communities: Vulnerable communities, often with children at the forefront, bear the brunt of climate change impacts. These communities may lack the resources to adapt, exacerbating existing inequalities and compromising children’s rights to equality and non-discrimination.

Right to Participate in Decision-Making: Children have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. The climate crisis, with its profound implications for their future, demands that children’s voices and perspectives be considered in policymaking and climate action.

Interconnected Human Rights: The impacts of the climate crisis intersect with various human rights, including the right to health, adequate standard of living, and cultural rights. Addressing the climate crisis is not only an environmental imperative but also a human rights imperative, ensuring the protection of children’s rights across multiple dimensions.