100 million Young Arabs Launches "Climate Change Call"

Doha, December 05 (QNA) - The civil society organizations and non-governmental associations’ events have continued their activities on the sidelines of the 18th United Nations Conference on climate change, Doha 2012. The Arab youth movement launched today a climate initiative under the title "100 million young Arabs .. climatic challenges and solutions" with the participation of representatives from Egypt, Algeria and Mauritania. Ali Fakhri Coordinator of the movement said the "100 million" initiative comes within the framework of the efforts of young people in various ways to draw the attention of the official delegations taking part in the Climate Change Summit to give more emphasis on climate change related discussions. The initiative, according to the organizers that the number of young people in the Arab region and the Middle East as a whole will reach about 100 million by the year 2035, calling for adopting dialogue between governments and this sector of society ( the youth) about the climate dangers. The initiative criticizes governments which consider young people as part of security, social and economic problems, and not taking into account the threats of climate change on the future of these young people or what actions had been taken by governments about it. The 100 million young Arab initiative underscores that climate change is a threat to mankind and all forms of life on this planet, and that the scientific indicators prove that if we do not start reducing greenhouse gas emissions in coming five or eight years, we will not be able to avoid the devastating effects of climate change that could lead to the collapse of human civilization. Organizers say the issue is not at the top of the political agenda for many of the Arab countries, and that the public are still unaware of the danger that threatens future generations. The initiative urges the Arab leaders and governments to shoulder their responsibilities, by working constructively and strongly on both national and international levels to achieve the emission reduction of greenhouse gases in the region and to establish climate change as one of the priorities in their policies.(QNA)