We’re here to connect with and build the International Youth Climate Movement, and share what young people are doing across the world.
Already we’ve come across some incredible stories from young people who’ve travelled here to the UN – here’s one story from the USA that AYCC volunteer Katherine came across earlier this week.
Our International team is in Durban where the UN climate talks are well underway.
Today I met 24-year-old Monica Christoffels, a student from the state of Oregon in the United States. Earlier this year, Monica became concerned about the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline was being proposed to carry oil extracted from the tar sands of Alberta in Canada to oil refineries in the United states. This would have led to the release of unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. James Hansen, NASA’s top climatologist said that opening the tar sands would be “game over for the climate”. So, Monica joined the movement to stop the pipeline.
Along with thousands of others, she participated in the historic ‘Tar Sands Action’ in August outside the White House. Their message was simple – that President Obama should reject the Keystone XL pipe line. Monica was one of the 1,253 people who were arrested as a result of participation in the Tar Sands Action. As a result, the pipeline, which was considered a ‘done deal’ has been delayed and is likely to be cancelled completely.
I asked Monica about why she cared about climate change and what propelled her to be brave and put her body on the line. She explained that learning about the detrimental effects of the extraction of tar sands oil on access to clean water, forests and people’s lives was life-changing. Moreover, she feels that young people will stand to lose the most if inadequate action is taken to prevent climate change.
As someone with the resources and the capability, Monica felt she had the responsibility to take action against the Keystone XL pipeline. She also felt her participation was important because the media was not fully bringing attention to the harmful effects of tar sands extraction on people and the environment.
Monica travelled from her home in Eugene, Oregon, to Washington in order to participate in the Tar Sands Action. An 85-year-old lady generously offered her car to anyone wanting to go to the Tar Sands Action, and Monica jumped at the opportunity. She took the car and followed a caravan of people across the United States. The journey took a week.
Along the way, the caravan made stops in Utah, Nebraska and West Virginia, where they stayed with families supportive of the cause. They also used the opportunity to learn about the effects of oil extraction, fracking and mountain top removal on local communities they visited. They witnessed the effects of wildlife removal and water contamination on Indigenous people, who are no longer able to rely on traditional food sources as they have done for thousands of years. As a result of polluted river water, the fish are poisonous and consequently cancer has started to show in children and adults.
For Monica, the journey shed light on issues surrounding resource extraction in addition to climate change. From her experience, Monica was resolute that young people have a crucial role in solving these issues. She is committed to holding decision-makers accountable for their policies and reminding them that it is our future that is at stake.
It was beautiful to hear Monica’s story of bravery and selflessness. She hopes her story and the ‘Tar Sands Action’ inspires other young people to get active on climate change and protect all which we have to lose.
Since arriving in Durban, I have been so fortunate to sit and have coffee with some of the most committed and proactive young climate campaigners from all over the world. For me, meeting these young people has been the most inspiring part of the climate talks. These success stories are proof that the International Youth Climate Movement is gaining momentum, and that in young people we have the powerful force we need to solve climate change.
