‘Industrialised nations have key role’

During COP26, young people from around the world will each day be telling the Daily Mirror why the summit cannot fail and will share their hopes for the future.

Today, Rumana, 17, from Bangladesh, writes about the impact of drought on her community. In 2016, over 23 million Bangladeshis were displaced by extreme weather events.

Rumana writes: “Climate change has had a negative impact on Bangladesh. Drought in our area has brought huge changes in the lives and livelihoods of the people here.

Farmers are losing job opportunities and the rate of seasonal migration is increasing. I think we need to take strong action now to deal with climate change and become more environmentally friendly.

Due to climate change, young people in the most vulnerable countries are facing threats to their livelihoods, health, and VISION Rumana safety. Financial support is needed from the rich and from the countries responsible for climate change.

Children want a liveable world for a better future, which requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In the light of the Paris Agreement, the commitments made by world leaders need to be fully implemented, global carbon emissions must be reduced, and the major industrialised nations must play a key role in doing so. I deeply believe that positive steps taken by world leaders will help the developing countries to become more tolerant in tackling climate change.

The future world will be an environmentally friendly place for children to live.” *Rumana took part in a project with ActionAid, UNICEF and partners, to draw their visions for the Earth for BEYOND, a global art project from the Space for Art Foundation on show during COP26.