International Youth Day
Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action
August 12, 2008

International Youth Day
12 August was declared as International Youth Day by the United Nations General Assembly in
1998. Since then, around the world, 12 August has been commemorated as International Youth Day. At all levels, international, regional, national and local levels, people around the world have been celebrating young people and the importance of their role in society.

The United Nations promotes the importance of this Day around the world to showcase the difference young people make in the lives of their communities and also to highlight issues of concern to them. Each year, special themes have been selected to draw attention to key issues and to bring the energy and dynamism of young people to the forefront. Prior themes for the Day have included sustainable development, unemployment, intergenerational issues and tackling poverty together.
climate change.

The Day presents a great opportunity to rally support and get key actors, such as Governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and young people to act on climate change.

What is Climate Change?
Climate Change is the change in climate over a time period that ranges from decades to centuries. The term refers to both natural and human-induced changes. The term “climate variability” refers to shorter term (years to decades) fluctuations in climate such as those caused by El Niño/Southern Oscillation.
Climate change threatens the Earth and its habitants.

Climate change is one of the most serious global threats to our environment, our economies and our lives. But why is the Earth's climate changing? Why is it heating up?

Climate change caused by human activity hampers poverty eradication efforts and makes the MDGs more difficult to achieve. Hard-earned progress towards poverty reduction is threatened or reversed by the negative effects of climate change. Further, climate change poses a threat to peace and security, and adds to the possibility of rising number of conflicts and the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is therefore at the top of the list of major global concern. Download more on Climate Change.

National Youth Coalition on Climate Change Nepal (NYCCCN)