FORMER PRESIDENT RALLIES THE YOUNG IN CLIMATE BATTLE
BARACK OBAMA issued a rallying call to young people to continue to lead the fight against climate change and to push the older generation into action.
At a speech to the COP26 in Glasgow at the SEC yesterday, the former President of the United States of America said there had been progress since the Paris Agreement in 2015 but that it was nowhere near enough.
He said: “When it comes to climate, time really is running out.”
Obama added: “The world has to step up and it has to step up now.”
Young people, he said had more of a stake in the fight than others but he argued they need to listen to the concerns of those not yet convinced if there is to be successful action on climate change.
He said the most important energy in this movement has come from young people. The reason is simple, they have more of a stake in this fight than anyone else.”
He added: “If the older folks won’t listen, they need to get out of the way.”
He added: “Folks of my generation have not done enough on a potentially cataclysmic problem that stands to inherit.”
To young people frustrated and angry about climate change he offered advice he said his mother gave to him.
Obama said: “My mother’s advice was ‘don’t sulk, get busy’.”
He said: “Get to work and change what needs to be changed.”
He said young people can make a difference by voting for governments who will take action, by making consumer choices and spending with businesses that are taking action and by persuading older people to change their lifestyle.
The former president questioned the tactics of some protesters who disrupt people going about their business.
Obama said: “We have to do a lot more listening; we can’t just yell at them or inconvenience them with blocking traffic.”
Instead, he argued campaigners had to understand the concerns which, he said, were understandable.
He said: “It is not unreasonable for people to think the costs will be born by them and not the privileged.”
His message to young people was “stay angry and frustrated but channel that anger, harness that frustration and keep pushing for more.”
In his opening remarks, Obama said that he didn’t need to attend these events any more as a former President but he added: “When the issue is the health of our planet and what our children and grandchildren inherit you’ll have a hard time keeping me away.”
He ended by saying it would take time, adding: “I’m ready for the long haul if you are and so, let’s get to work.”