Former Irish President Mary Robinson spearheaded the launch of ActNowFilm at COP28, emphasizing the imperative inclusion of young voices in climate negotiations that profoundly shape their future.
This innovative film, ActNowFilm, showcases candid dialogues between young individuals hailing from Lesotho to London and renowned global figures such as Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, and Christiana Figueres, architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement and Chair of Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.
ActNowFilm captures poignant interactions between young climate activists and experts, reflecting on personal encounters with the harrowing impacts of climate change. The film encapsulates their frustration with the sluggish global response toward emission reduction and environmental conservation.
Moliehi Mafantiri from Lesotho, a prominent youth leader featured in ActNowFilm, echoes confidence in the younger generation’s capability to expedite change. Mafantiri emphasizes the necessity of involving youth in securing their future: “I find hope in the actions of youth that we are brave enough to take governments to task. We simply need to work together, learn from each other from across regions. There is far more that unites us than that which divides us.”
Mary Robinson emphasized the urgency of collaborative efforts across generations: “We need to work quickly and we need to combine the energies, talents and insights of every generation.”
ActNowFilm highlights collaborations between 30 pairs of youth climate leaders and influencers from indigenous communities, business, policy, activism, academia, and international organizations to address climate change collectively.
Youth climate leaders contributing to ActNowFilm include trailblazers like Inés Yábar, instrumental in Peru’s ban on single-use plastic bags, and Raina Ivanova, a climate justice activist who advocated alongside Greta Thunberg in the ‘Children vs. Climate Crisis’ petition.
This 30-minute film, a collaborative effort led by Cambridge Zero and the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research (IPR), supported by the UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN) and produced by Octopus Films, was showcased at COP28’s Youth, Children, Education and Skills Day.
Dr Amy Munro-Faure, Head of Education and Student Engagement at Cambridge Zero, stressed the film’s significance, stating, “The young people in ActNowFilm understand what action is needed, have witnessed first-hand the destructive effects of climate change and are determined to influence the agreements that will define their future on this Earth.”
ActNowFilm continues to be screened at COP28, serving as a powerful testament to the urgency of united action against the climate crisis.
