China-US Youth Declaration: Steps to Greater Ambition
11 December 2014
On the heels of the historic U.S.-China climate announcement, youth from the United States and China have combined forces to build momentum in the youth climate movement.
Building on previous collaborative work, the China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN) and the Sierra Student Coalition partnered on a joint statement to their heads of state detailing the youth reaction to the recent U.S.-China climate announcement. The statement expresses appreciation for the bold steps taken by both countries while also pushing for more ambitious goals, in particular the need for strong and effective policies which are socially just and scientifically sound.
The statement goes on to detail the ambitious emissions targets and policies needed to avert an irreversible climate crisis, keeping global temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.
This statement is just the beginning. The youth who are inheriting the critical problem of climate disruption are an ever stronger part of a global dialogue. The unified voices of the world’s youth promise to be there every step of the way from Lima to Paris, driving progress in their communities and pushing for a world with equitable access to clean, safe, renewable and socially just energy systems.