Third-year political science student Arielle Kayabaga is one of 28 youths selected to attend this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC) in Cancun, Mexico.
“It is very important that us youths take action and show the government that climate change is a serious issue and that we need them to take action as soon as possible,” Kayabaga said.
Kayabaga said she was honoured to be part of the team and hopes to make a difference.
Kayabaga was chosen by the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC) to represent Carleton at the 16th annual meeting, called the Conference of the Parties (COP 16).
“COP 16 will be my first international event and I am highly anticipating it,” Kayabaga said. “I look forward to hearing what Canada’s government is willing to change and hoping that once the government sees youth like me, [we] will influence them to take action.”
The group’s members hail from culturally diverse backgrounds and consist of students, indigenous youth and young workers.
Kayabaga said there will be young adults from all around the globe who want to see a global change while making international connections.
Held last year in Copenhagen, Denmark, UNCCCs are held once a year and aim to find solutions to solve the issue of climate change and global warming.
This year’s meeting will take place between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10 with the main item on the agenda being a potential international agreement on global climate change that could go into effect as early as 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires.
More than 180 countries participated in talks last year, and the same number is expected this year.