Hello hello! I have a question for you: would you also pack for a week-long overseas trip at the absolute last minute, while losing your passport and visa documents twice in the process? Or are you normal? I’m flying to Dubai in a short while to attend COP28: the annual United Nations Climate Conference.
I am, however, currently typing this article out while sitting on the floor… surrounded by two open suitcases, a backpack, and piles of unpacked clothes. While I should get back to packing, I’ve decided to take a break to give you a quick intro to COP28 and how young Malaysians engage with it!
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Live footage of me right now.
My Climate Story
I was 16 the first time I ever intentionally worked on a big climate project. I had been selected to attend a youth climate summit run by the Italian government, and I worked with UNICEF Malaysia to organize a pre-summit workshop for other young Malaysians. We gathered ideas for youth engagement in climate action from participants, and I relayed them at the summit.
For a long time, I thought that this was where my climate work had started. But while writing this article, I realized it actually started much earlier. The beach cleanups I organized in secondary school? That was climate action. The posters I designed in primary school about climate change? Also climate action. The trips I took with public transport instead of a car? Climate action.
I think that because climate change is such a huge problem, it can make us feel as if we need to do something equally big to make a difference. But this isn’t true at all! Do you turn the tap off while brushing your teeth? Turn the lights off when leaving a room? Thrift clothes? These are all simple steps you may already be taking to be more eco-friendly!
So what is COP28?
When I first tried learning more about climate change, I was super overwhelmed. There were so many names and acronyms and terms! UNFCCC? IPCC? SHWIABDSPSWJK? Aaaahh!! I learned that one of the most important terms to know is Conference of Parties, or “COP.” This is an annual event where every country in the United Nations discusses climate change and negotiates new agreements. This year’s COP is the 28th edition, so it is known as COP28.
Every COP is important, but COP28 is super important for young Malaysians in particular. Many of the problems we face (e.g. health issues and inadequate climate education) will be discussed during the conference. Countries are also doing the first-ever Global Stocktake: basically a check-up on how much climate action progress the world has made.
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At COP28, in my role as an advisor to the Greening Education Partnership, I will be moderating a panel with ministers about climate education. I will also be participating in the Partnership’s working group meetings. I spoke to Kai Sin, another young Malaysian attending COP28, to learn more about what she’ll be doing.
Meet Lim Kai Sin
Kai Sin is a Co-Focal Point for the Malaysian Youth Delegation (a youth-led climate organization).
Q: As a young Malaysian, in what ways do you work with the government and other young Malaysians at COP?
I connect with youth from diverse backgrounds before COP to form a strong network to advocate for our common causes, and provide support for each other during COP. Apart from that, I use COP as a platform to interact with government representatives from around the world and understand each country’s priorities and climate action plans. I advocate for youth involvement in this as well.
Q: If you could choose a song to play every time you entered a room, which would you pick?
Earth Song by Michael Jackson
I loved seeing how different Kai Sin’s and my plans for COP28 are! It just goes to show that everyone can contribute to climate action in their own way. I will be attending the second week of COP28, and I’m super excited to see the young Malaysians and many other youth delegates who will be there.
I hope you feel inspired to learn more about COP28 and climate change!
