The declaration asks delegates negotiating at COP25 in Madrid, many of whom are parents, to remember their dual role as parents and negotiators when working to address the climate emergency that will affect all children of today and generations to come.
“Climate-related disasters have become the norm and children are losing their health, their lives, and their futures because of climate chaos. We cannot accept that this is the world we are handing over to our children.” says Jesus Garcia, a representative of the Madres Por El Clima climate group from Spain.
The declaration points out that current political commitments put us on track to a catastrophic 3–4C global temperature rise. Every tonne of carbon emitted takes us closer to dangerous tipping points, which could unravel human civilization within our own, and our children’s lifetimes.
“With every tonne of carbon we release, the climate impacts will be made worse. Millions of children, especially in areas of the world where livelihoods are already affected by poverty, water scarcity and drought, will be hit the hardest. This is a moral injustice, and as parents, we will not stand by and watch children being robbed of their futures.”, says Cherise Udell, mom of two from Utah Moms for Clean Air, in the US.
The groups point out that the UN climate summit is a crucial opportunity, especially for parents in the negotiations, to stand up for children and act boldly to enact ambitious climate action in line with keeping global temperature rise below 1.5C.
