The inaugural Pacific Youth Dialogue on Loss and Damage, held in Apia, Samoa, has brought together young leaders from across the Pacific to discuss the pressing impacts of climate change on their communities. Tagaloa Cooper, the Climate Change Resilience Director at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), emphasized the significance of youth voices during her address. She encouraged participants to own their narratives and define what loss and damage mean for their cultures and futures.
Cooper shared her personal experience related to the destructive effects of climate change, detailing the impact of Cyclone Heta in 2004, which drastically altered her community’s biodiversity and traditional practices. This exemplified the concept of loss and damage that many Pacific communities face, underscoring that while climate change poses substantial challenges, the youth have the agency to influence and shape their destinies.
The dialogue, supported by the New Zealand government, aims to create a platform for youth to express their experiences and discuss solutions to combat the issues exacerbated by climate change. Cooper assured the young participants that their voices would not be overlooked in global discussions on climate action, including future COP meetings.
This event stands as a hopeful initiative, echoing calls from recent regional training sessions that highlight the importance of media and community engagement in climate discussions. The collaborative efforts among youth can foster resilience and lead to the amplification of their stories on the global stage, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and informed climate advocacy.
As the two-day event progresses, participants are expected to generate outcomes that will inform an upcoming Ministerial on Loss and Damage, strategically positioning youth perspectives at the forefront of climate action in the Pacific region.
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