Contact:
Nick Haas, nhaas@edf.org
Defend Our Future has officially been accepted as a delegate to YOUNGO, the Official Children Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)!
We are celebrating as Defend takes a big step in representing youth on a global level, but what does this all mean? Here’s what you need to know to get up to speed — and past all the abbreviations — when it comes to this incredible opportunity to make the youth climate movement even more powerful.
What is YOUNGO?
YOUNGO, also known as the Youth Climate Movement or International Youth Climate Movement, refers to the international network of youth organizations that collectively aim to inspire, empower, and mobilize a generational movement of young people to take positive action on climate change.
How is YOUNGO related to the United Nations?
YOUNGO is the youth arm of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which has strong influence on the political decisions of nations when it comes to climate legislation, mitigation, and reconciliation.
What does this mean for Defend Our Future?
In short, our acceptance helps in the long run connect young people within the Defend national community with a broader network of youth climate advocates on a global scale. Climate change is a global problem — that’s why we need to work together across the globe to fight for solutions. This collaboration can make positive waves in the way youth in the US can relay the urgency of climate issues to elected officials at federal, state, and local levels and work in partnership with youth experiencing the devastating effects of climate change in their communities globally.
What’s next for Defend now that were approved delegates?
Defend will be attending the Local Conferences of Youth meetings, which is the US chapter of YOUNGO, and we look forward to making lasting connections with youth climate advocates on a local and global platform. This is also a great opportunity for our campus ambassadors to have a platform with the global youth activist community at UN climate and biodiversity conferences!
