The National Trust has issued an open call for sponsors to assist in sending two young Caymanians to COP27, the 2022 climate conference, in Egypt next month.
Catherine Childs, National Trust environmental programmes manager, told the Cayman Compass that the International National Trust Organisation has given the Trust passes to attend the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, allowing local young people to benefit from the experience.
“This is an incredible opportunity for young Caymanians to have their voices heard on the world stage and discuss solutions to the climate crisis with changemakers from around the globe,” she said.
The Trust is budgeting $5,000 for each youth delegate.
The international climate meeting will be held in Egypt from 6-18 Nov. 2022.
Having a voice is important
She pointed out numerous young Caymanians have attended previous COP events with the National Trust and have made positive contributions to the local community, winning prestigious awards.
One such winner was Dejea Lyons, who earned the “Princess Diana Award” for creating positive change in the world.
Lyons, in a statement on attending COP26, said it was an experience that she will remember for the rest of her life.
“Not only did I have the opportunity to represent my country on a global stage but the occasion allowed me to fully immerse myself in an event that revolves around my passion for the environment.
“I am studying Global Development and Sustainability at university so many of the events and interactive projects that I was involved in while at the conference, I shared upon my return with my professors and classmates,” she said.
Experiences like this, Lyons added, allow young Caymanians to truly understand not only the general issue of climate change but also everyone and everything that are affected.
“Things that we may not be exposed to on an everyday basis on our small islands, such as indigenous peoples’ rights, basic women’s rights issues/restrictions, high death rates from climate change events and so many more critical topics are made clear at the conference.
“Having our young Caymanians at this event not only unveils the realities that the rest of the world has to face due to climate change but also inspires us to come home to fight for the change we want to see to save our future,” she added.
Protect Our Future students at Cayman International School, the youth delegates at COP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland last year, highlighted the experience of attending the important event in video.
Calling for businesses to step up as sponsors, Childs said, “This is also a great opportunity for Cayman businesses to sponsor something that will make a real difference, not just in the life of a local young person, but in the future resilience of our country by contributing to the education and awareness of tomorrow’s leaders,” she said.
The team at the National Trust was grateful to the International National Trust Organisation for giving the passes to attend the meetings, she added.
“There are National Trust offices all over the world but they have committed to bringing at least two young people from the Cayman Islands because they understand the unique challenges of a small island nation like ours facing the effects of climate change,” she said.
Childs acknowledged that although flying to Egypt to talk about reducing carbon emissions seems “hypocritical”, she said, “we have to be there to advocate for our future”.
“It’s well known that the only reason that the Paris Agreement includes language to keep warming to 1.5 degrees, is because small island nations and other vulnerable countries stood together and pressured bigger countries to make the change,” she said, adding that she has attended COPs previously.
“I’ve seen the powerful impact that young people from affected nations have on policymakers when they are in the same room. Their words have prevented more carbon emissions than they are responsible for in their travels. It’s crucial that we are there to fight for our future,” she added.
Application process
The National Trust is accepting applications for students to attend the international event.
The deadline to apply is midnight on Sunday, 16 Oct. For more information, go to the Trust website.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the students, can email [email protected] for details on how to pledge funds.
Related Videos
These conferences are echo chambers. I honestly doubt there is going to be any debate there, as no opposition is typically allowed. Therefore, what’s the point?