The matter in summary: 13-year-old Viljar Olaussen from Porsgrunn will represent the children’s voice at the climate summit in Dubai. Viljar is part of the Children’s Climate Panel, which recently presented a climate report based on the views of children and young people to the Minister for Climate and Environment. The report shows that many children feel that they are not heard in environmental matters. Children’s presence at climate summits has increased in recent years, and there is now a separate children’s and youth pavilion. The environmental agents believe it is important that children and young people use their voice at the meetings, but criticize “youthwashing”, where children and young people are used for good PR without their voices actually being heard. Criticism of “youthwashing” already came after last year’s climate summit, where several youth delegates felt they were being used as a ploy by large companies and states. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – It will be a big responsibility. It’s not a small trip where we have to sit in the hotel and swim. Because it is a heavy task that rests on the 13-year-old’s shoulders. Viljar Olaussen is the voice of Norwegian children at the climate summit in Dubai. – It will be exciting, but also a little scary. Most of all, I’m looking forward to it, because I’m actually going to participate in a big event. Children are not heard in environmental issues Recently, he and the others in the Children’s climate panel presented this year’s climate report with young people’s point of view to the Minister for Climate and the Environment. Over a thousand children and young people have answered questions about climate and the environment for the Environmental Agents and Save the Children. The report stated that many children feel that they are not heard in environmental matters. Viljar participated in the launch of the Children’s Climate and Environment Report 2023 for, among others, Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. Photo: Wanda Nordstrøm / Miljøagentene Viljar is one of eight environmental agents aged 11 to 14 who will present the message to the UN climate panel. – Our goal is to be a mouthpiece for children and young people in Norway on issues that concern their future, the climate and the environment. The hope is to be heard internationally. He believes it is important that children and young people are present at climate summits in order to spread their message and to show themselves off. But he is not as impressed by the politicians. – It is not always such a good thing they agree on, but last year they agreed that all the different countries must get more children to the climate summit. I am very happy about that. Children were absent from climate summits Bjørn Erik Løken, organizational advisor at the Environmental Agents, was at his first climate summit five years ago. Then he can’t remember seeing a single child. In recent years, however, children’s presence has become much more evident. – There has been a gradual increase in the proportion of children who are present. Now there is a separate children’s and youth pavilion, and we meet and see many more children. Those who have the most important roles at the climate summit will not be affected by climate change. It is children and young people who to the greatest extent want to be, says Bjørn Erik Løken in Miljøagentene. Photo: Wanda Nordstrøm / Miljøagentene He says young people internationally are usually up to 35 years of age or older, and in the past many of the youth representatives have been adults or students. He believes it is a strength that more children are now present. – It is important that children and young people can use their voice and be heard at the meetings. It also acts as a reminder of who you are negotiating for. – Challenge with “youthwashing” The environmental agents find that they meet many open doors and that there are many people who want to talk to the children. But Løken comes with a sting to those who do not take children and young people seriously. – There is a challenge with “youthwashing”. One likes to profile oneself by listening to children and young people, but in the end it is not certain how much one gets through. He compares it to “greenwashing”. Greenwashing Greenwashing, or “greenwashing” in English, is a form of intentional marketing where a product or company is presented as more environmentally friendly or animal friendly than it actually is. There are various forms and methods of greenwashing. For example, you can emphasize the environmental benefits, while ignoring the disadvantages. Source: Wikipedia Løken says it’s nice to show off on Instagram that you’ve met young climate activists, but casts doubt on how big an impact they have. – Sometimes you absolutely get through, while at other times it may be more game for the gallery. Did they feel they were being used as a ploy The criticism that young people were being used as “decoration” came already after last year’s climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. Several youth delegates stood up and said that they felt they were being used as a trick by large companies and states, without actually being heard, writes fn.no. – “Youthwashing” is having young people there only for good PR and marketing. As with all other marketing, it is only for their benefit and not to make things better, Polish climate activist Dominika Lasota told Euronews Green. This year’s Children’s climate and environment report is included when the environmental agents go to the climate summit in Dubai. Photo: Gry Eirin Skjelbred / news
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Viljar will participate in the climate summit and speak up for the children – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
