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Miami Herald
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Young climate activists meet in Miami. Trump has changed their agenda
Young climate activists from across the U.S. are gathering in Miami for a major conference this weekend to learn how to draft and advocate for policies that could shape the world they'll soon inherit. 'This is our future, and a lot of times we don't even have a say,' said Parishay Azer, a 17-year-old from California. 'But with conferences like these, our opinions are heard and it gives us the confidence to go to other places and speak out.' For the past three years, the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) has collaborated with the federal government to produce a national youth climate statement outlining recommendations for the how the U.S. should deal with spiraling concerns, from rising temperatures to more extreme weather events. This year, things look different. Under the Trump administration, federal engagement has dried up. Agencies that previously supported the youth-led effort, including the White House Climate Policy Office and the State Department's climate negotiation team, have been dissolved. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also pulled back support. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, wants to largely end regulation of greenhouse gases driving much of the global climate problems Despite the setbacks, organizers say the youth movement is looking for ways to adapt as they meet at the University of Miami's alumni center and law school this weekend after a beach cleanup early Friday. Coco de Marneffe, LCOY's lead coordinator, said the federal pullout was discouraging but they were shifting focus from federal authorities to local and state representatives. South Florida counties have lead the way in acknowledging the mounting problems and already have spent billions to reduce the risks of sea-rise and other climate-driven concerns. The statement crafted at this year's conference will still be presented on national and international stages, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) in Brazil this year. 'Our federal government isn't showing up and if civil society doesn't show up we could be left out of the international discussion,' Marneffe said. The LCOY conference will bring together students and young adults from 40 different states. The youngest delegate is a 12-year-old from New Jersey and the oldest is a 35-year-old from Florida. At a beach cleanup Friday morning ahead of the event, many delegates told the Herald they remain determined to push for local change, even as federal climate policy backslides. Morgan Brown, a 25-year-old from Denver, Colorado said the news surrounding the White House pull back on research and regulation is overwhelming, 'but we can still create change in our local governments.' Nitya Nekkauti, a university student from Ohio, said the conference offers a rare chance to share strategies across state lines. 'Since we are focusing on the state level, it's a good chance to compare issues in different states and take ideas from each other,' she said. Marneffe said they chose Miami as the conference's location to show students what ground zero for climate change looks like. Throughout the weekend, delegates will attend workshops on policy writing, speaking to politicians and grassroots organizing. They'll also hear from local leaders, including State Rep. Anna Eskamani, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and Miccosukee environmentalist Betty Osceola. 'South Florida is no stranger to a hostile political climate, and Floridians are on the front lines,' Marneffe said. 'The youth who will inherit this messy, messy world represent the best of us.' Ashley Miznazi is a climate change reporter for the Miami Herald funded by the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation and MSC Cruises in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
Morocco World
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's Youth Come Forward in Climate Action as LCOY 2025 Concludes in Rabat
Rabat — Over 100 young Moroccans from all 12 regions of the country gathered at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) this week for the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Morocco 2025. The event marked a significant moment for youth engagement in climate action as the country prepares for the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil. The three-day event, which concluded Friday at the Faculty of Governance, Economic and Social Sciences, brought together young leaders, experts, and decision-makers to address pressing environmental challenges and develop concrete policy recommendations that will be carried forward to the international stage. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), LCOY Morocco 2025 Communication Director Aya Alami said that it 'is not just an event for us, it's our chance. It's Morocco's chance to show the world that youth actually can make a change.' The conference, endorsed by YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and supported by Morocco's Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, represents a crucial platform for amplifying young voices in climate policy. LCOY Morocco 2025 Communication Director Aya Alami Bridging Local action with global impact The conference's significance extends beyond national borders, serving as a preparatory platform for COP30, scheduled for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. Event Director Fouad El Bouari pointed out the conference's role in creating a direct pipeline from local youth engagement to international climate negotiations. 'We gathered more than 100 youths from all over the 12 regions of Morocco to organize a conference about sustainable development in all thematics and topics regarding climate change,' El Bouari explained in an interview with MWN. 'The goal is to come out with logical recommendations that will be prescribed in the Moroccan statements presented to different decision makers and institutions.' LCOY Morocco 2025 Event Director Fouad El Bouari The opening ceremony on Wednesday featured prominent figures, including Nathalie Fustier, Resident Representative of the UN System in Morocco, who delivered what organizers described as a 'compelling speech,' stressing the importance of youth engagement in climate action. Comprehensive climate agenda The conference tackled interconnected environmental challenges through specialized workshops and panels. The first day featured three parallel policy workshops examining the nexus between water, food, energy, and ecosystems; resilient communities and disaster preparedness; and green finance, jobs, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Notable experts participated throughout the program, including Rajae Chafil, former president of 4C Maroc Center and recognized climate change expert, who contributed to discussions on building climate-resilient communities. 'We had the first workshop on a Nexus between water, food, energy, and ecosystems to show how these themes are inherently connected and how one impacts the other,' El Bouari noted, pointing out the conference's holistic approach to environmental challenges. The second day expanded the dialogue with panels covering water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), eco-responsible behaviors, climate crisis and conflict, and climate justice from a Moroccan perspective. A unique feature was mock Conference of Parties (COP) simulations, allowing participants to experience international climate negotiations firsthand. Youth engagement in political processes A standout element of the program was dedicated sessions on climate and political parties, designed to increase youth engagement in Morocco's political landscape. El Bouari explained that this workshop aimed to include 'a type of body that doesn't vote enough in the Moroccan political landscape, to make them more knowledgeable about the political parties and their stances on climate change.' The conference also addressed critical social issues, including safeguarding children's rights in a changing climate and exploring artificial intelligence's potential for social impact. Building Networks for future action The Youth Networking Gala for Climate Action, held Thursday evening, provided participants with opportunities to build lasting connections. Fatima-Ezzahrae Lammat, a second-year student at UM6P's Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences, argued about the significance of networking component in preparing future leaders. Fatima-Ezzahrae Lammat, a second-year student at UM6P's Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences 'What we are really trying to do is to empower youth and give them a voice on the platform, especially those who care a lot about the climate crisis, which is a very pressing matter in today's world and especially in Morocco,' Lammat said in an interview with MWN. From local voices to global stage The conference's outcomes will be consolidated into a comprehensive policy brief containing recommendations from all sessions and workshops. These recommendations will not remain merely academic exercises but will be integrated into Morocco's official positions for COP30. 'All those ideas will be gathered in one policy brief that will actually not just remain words on paper, but it will actually take place on the negotiation table at the COP,' Alami noted, stressing that the conference has a practical impact on policy-making. As Morocco continues to position itself as a leader in African climate action, LCOY 2025 demonstrates the country's commitment to ensuring that young voices are not just heard but actively shape the policy decisions that will determine their environmental future. The conference's legacy will extend far beyond its three-day duration, as its participants carry forward both the knowledge gained and the networks built to continue their climate advocacy at local, national, and international levels. Tags: climate changeMoroccan YouthMoroccoUM6P
The Star
04-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Cambodia hosts youth conference on climate change
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Tuesday (June 4) hosted the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2025 on climate change, offering young people an opportunity to help shape documents and share their vision for the kingdom's climate future. Held in Phnom Penh, the conference brought together more than 250 young climate leaders, government officials, policymakers, and development partners. It amplified youth voices in Cambodia's climate agenda and shaped the country's future commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0. Chuop Paris, a secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, said at the event that the government will submit its updated NDC3.0 in July 2025, aiming for greater ambition, acceleration and inclusivity to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. The youth's contributions will be included in the official youth statement to the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and reflected in the global youth statement ahead of COP30 in Brazil. "The voices of young people are essential in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for Cambodia," Paris said. "This conference is more than a platform for dialogue, it empowers youth to actively contribute meaningfully to our national climate agenda," he said. "As we work toward updating NDC 3.0, the ideas and energy of young Cambodians will play a central role in crafting inclusive and impactful climate solutions that safeguard our future." According to Cambodia's Children's Climate Risk Index 2024, nearly two million children, more than one-third of the country's youth, live in areas of high or very high climate risk, particularly in rural areas. The effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, increased floods, droughts, and erratic weather patterns, are already impacting education, health, and livelihoods. "The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. With nearly two-thirds of Cambodia's population under the age of 30, youth leadership must be embedded at every level of climate governance," said Anirban Chatterjee, deputy representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) to Cambodia. "Children and young people may not have caused the climate crisis, but they are among the first to feel its effects," he said. - Xinhua
