格特鲁德·克莱门特在联合国《巴黎协定》签署仪式上的演讲

Remarks by Ms. Getrude Clement, Youth Representative from Tanzania, at the Opening of the High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Honorable leaders of all nations, distinguished guests, my fellow children, and all others here today,

My name is Getrude Clement. I am sixteen years old from Mwanza Tanzania in East Africa. But, today, I am standing before you to represent children and young people all over the world.

Climate change poses a very big problem for the entire planet. But children – especially the poorest and most vulnerable – will feel most of its effects, now and in the future.

Climate change threatens our lives, our health as well as our education. You might think that we are too young to know about the risks and realities of climate change. But we see the effects in our daily lives.

As young people, the future is ours, but this is not the future we want for ourselves.

We are not just sitting by watching our communities suffer. We are leading our communities in taking action, standing up and speaking out about the issues we see in our communities.

I am part of an international group of young reporters, who have been documenting the negative effects of climate change in our society and positive actions to mitigate the effects.

In Tanzania, we visited many places in our community, spoke to citizens about climate change and environmental pollution. I visited a place at Ghana Street where people sell fruits and vegetables next to their dumping site. We also learned about children who have difficulty going to school safely because of flooding. We post stories like these on a digital map, so people around the world can learn about our experiences on climate change.

I am one young girl standing before you today, but I am not alone.

We expect more than words on paper and promises.

We expect action, action on a big scale.

And we expect action today, not tomorrow.

I expect to return to Tanzania and tell my fellows: the future is ours and the future is bright.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.