The Human Face of Climate Change

Wednesday, 25 June 2008 | posted by Matt_BC
Climate, Human Rights

On June 24, 2008 Kofi Annan launched the first annual meeting of the Global Humanitarian Forum in Geneva. Present were heads of state, ministers, scientists, businessmen (and, possibly, -women). Also present were five young people from Canada, India, Togo, Brazil and the Marshall Islands. Eloquently and passionately they bore witness to the humanitarian impact that climate change has on their countries and communities.

The Climate Witnesses were brought to Geneva by the British Council Switzerland. Some of them are Climate Champions, some work with environmental organisations with their countries. All of them have experienced that climate change is not an abstract issue, it's not just statistics about rising sea levels and temperatures. It's about the dramatic change on how people live. And, as so often, while it's mostly the rich countries that have 'contributed' most to climate change, it's the poor countries that are facing most of the consequences.

You can watch a short version of the Climate Witnesses' session (moderated by British Council CEO Martin Davidson)  here; for the full-length video, click here.

The British Council is proud to welcome these Climate Witnesses into its family of young activists and changemakers.