2024-11-10 10:24:00
According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and General Comment 26, every child has the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Unfortunately, children’s rights are threatened by increasingly frequent environmental disasters. School closures, loss of housing, poverty and hunger are fueled by extreme weather events. Children worldwide are affected by this. The Catholic Youth Group appeals to the Austrian delegation to demand children’s right to an intact environment in Baku and to place the well-being of children at the center of the discussion. The focus must be on a good life for future generations.
Any hesitation makes the situation worse, and it is the children who have to grow up in a world where the damage is irreparable. Martina Erlacher, chairwoman of the Catholic Youth Group: “The extreme weather conditions caused by climate change also cause psychological stress in children, fear about their future, but also the feeling of not being heard by political decision-makers. At this point we would like to thank the children who stand up for the child’s right to a healthy environment, including those who go to Baku to talk to decision-makers on site. It takes a lot of courage and commitment and you should definitely be at the decision-making table!”
The climate crisis is a children’s rights crisis that we can only overcome together and with all our strength. The Catholic Youth Group therefore calls for the implementation of ecological children’s rights so that children are protected from environmental damage and a healthy upbringing is ensured in the future. This specifically means…
Creating climate justice: The countries and communities that have contributed the least to the climate crisis are suffering the most from its consequences. We call for binding and effective financial support with minimum contributions for the most affected populations and poorest countries in the world in order to be able to finance climate protection, adaptation and damage measures.
Children and their rights should be taken into account when taking measures and strategies to adapt to climate change, as they are particularly hard hit by flood disasters and droughts, not least through school closures.
Strengthening the participation of children in the COP so that they are not only informed about decisions that are important for their future survival, but also have a say in the content.
In Austria, as a rich industrial country, we should above all do our part to move away from fossil energy. Above all, this requires binding deadlines and exit plans. There also needs to be a clearer turnaround towards sustainable mobility and corresponding infrastructure expansion in rural areas.
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**Interview with Martina Erlacher, Chairwoman of the Catholic Youth Group**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Martina. Can you start by explaining the key message you want to convey regarding children’s rights and the environment, particularly in light of General Comment 26?
**Martina Erlacher:** Thank you for having me. Our key message is simple yet urgent: every child has the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. This right is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it’s critical that we honor it. Unfortunately, with an increase in environmental disasters, children worldwide are facing severe consequences like school closures, displacement, and food insecurity. We’re calling on the Austrian delegation at the upcoming discussions in Baku to prioritize children’s rights and ensure that their well-being is at the forefront of environmental policies.
**Editor:** You mentioned the psychological impact of climate change on children. Can you elaborate on that?
**Martina Erlacher:** Yes, absolutely. The extreme weather conditions we’re witnessing are not just harming the physical environment; they’re also causing significant psychological stress for children. Many of them are overwhelmed with fear about their future and feel powerless because their voices are often ignored by those in power. We need to acknowledge this emotional toll and ensure that children are heard in conversations about their own futures.
**Editor:** What specific actions are you advocating for from the Austrian delegation?
**Martina Erlacher:** We are asking the Austrian delegation to take a firm stand in advocating for children’s rights to an intact environment. This includes pushing for actionable policies that address climate change while considering children’s perspectives. We need commitments that ensure a healthier planet for future generations. Delaying action only exacerbates the problems our children will inherit.
**Editor:** How can the community support your initiative?
**Martina Erlacher:** Community involvement is crucial. We encourage schools, families, and local organizations to raise awareness about children’s rights in the context of environmental issues. Supporting youth-led initiatives and creating spaces for children to express their concerns can empower them. We must work together to amplify their voices and pressure decision-makers to take their rights seriously.
**Editor:** Thank you, Martina, for sharing your insights and highlighting the importance of this issue.
**Martina Erlacher:** Thank you for having me. Together, we can create a better, more sustainable world for our children.
