To Mark the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, 50 Young Environmentalists from South and South East Asia Speak for #MyFutureMyVoice

Earth Day Network is a global environmental NGO.  Growing out of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network today engages with over 75,000 partners in over 190 countries for positive action for our planet.

April 22, 2020 marks the Golden Anniversary of Earth Day and Earth Day Network.  Strongly believing in the role of youth, and that the environment knows no boundaries, our initiative #MyFutureMyVoice features voices of 50 youths from around 16 countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

All the youth featured are united by their common aim – to work for the good of the environment.  Through their video messages, each youth speaks of what they have done, the problems that need to be addressed by governments and by society.  Each of them has also taken the #EarthDay pledge to do an #ActofGreen for Earth. 

There are youth who describe their personal efforts and many others speak about the groups they founded or those they volunteer with.  Hear about the remarkable work they do at such young ages: some as young as 8 years – to protect biodiversity, increase the green cover, help manage waste, aim for zero waste, save our precious natural resources and educate those less fortunate….

While some take traditional approaches to mitigate climate change, others adopt different avenues such as art, crafts, folk tradition and culture.  As for example: a well-known fashion designer in India who works with only natural fibers.  In the Maldives, artists help revive traditional crafts to replace plastic items.  In Cambodia, folk tradition of story telling helps disseminate green messages.  A Well-known actress in Srilanka shares the knowledge about environmental affairs with all her fans.  Listen to a youth from Afghanistan who helps women enhance their livelihoods with eco-friendly occupations. An author from India has written a best-seller book on air pollution.  A journalist from Bhutan who regularly writes on the environment. 

Some youth have developed effective strategies that utilize social media to widen awareness about climate change.  Youth that study existing laws and examine if there is a need to formulate new legislation for climate change are another category.  Our voice from Bangladesh provides inexpensive lighting – Bottle Lights that captures the rays of the sun.  A doctor from Pakistan reaches out to people with scientific knowledge.  Many youth speak at international forums and organize group efforts such as large seminars, climate strikes, etc.  It is remarkable how much they have achieved at such young ages. They are the future, which is why their voices matter the most. 

Karuna Singh, Regional Director of Earth Day Network, says: “Earth Day Network is pleased to bring together the voices of 50 youth from the region as youth are the torch-bearers for a climate safe, sustainable and environment-friendly future.  We hope that all those who hear them speak are inspired to emulate their examples and that #MyFutureMyVoice builds bridges of friendship across the region so that a concerted effort is made for the environment.”

On April 22, #MyFutureMyVoice will be globally broadcast. 

Note for Media:

The 50 youth voices will be featured on Earth Day Network website (www.earthday.org/india/) and social platforms of Earth Day including Facebook (www.facebook.com/EarthDayNetwork and www.facebook.com/Earth.Day.Network.India), 

Twitter (@EarthDayNetwork) and Instagram (@earthdaynetwork).

For More Information, please contact: Nishu Kaul, Director (Earth Day), South & South-East Asia at [email protected]. Mobile: +91 9873450496