Kathmandu: More than 100 children and youth from across Nepal have voiced their concerns about the impacts of climate change and the crisis it has engendered. They gathered in the capital on Saturday for the Children and Youth Dialogue, a precursor to the international ‘Sagarmatha Dialogue’ organized by the government.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the dialogue focused on climate change responses led by children and youth. During the event, 20-year-old Nischal Bhatta emphasized that climate change is not merely a future concern but a pressing reality. “We demand an environment conducive to ensuring climate justice and building a climate-resilient society,” Bhatta stated.
The dialogue was divided into sessions, with the first addressing the impact of climate change on essential services like education, health, and water. The second session focused on mountain ecology, climate change, and the future of humanity, aligning with the main theme of the Sagarmatha Dialogue scheduled from May 16 to 18.
Participants, including children, adolescents, and youth, shared their firsthand experiences with climate change and described the steps they are taking at a local level. A significant outcome of the program was a declaration prepared by the attendees. This document outlines their demands, commitments, and proposed actions for creating a climate-resilient Nepal. The declaration is set to be submitted to the Sagarmatha Dialogue secretariat.