Our world is at a crossroads
Millions of children can't get a good meal, the medicines or the healthcare they need. COVID-19 has made life even tougher. Our planet is overheating, and our seas, fields and forests are being destroyed while children face more extreme weather in an increasingly unequal world.
It doesn't have to be like this. Children are leading the way towards a better world and it's time for us all to follow their lead. We must listen to their calls for action and find lasting solutions that support and protect children.
Save the Children is campaigning for and with children to call for urgent action on the climate crisis as well as inequality to create a safe, healthy and happy future for children.
During the months of June and July, Save the Children Guatemala got ready to join the Global Week of Action for the “Generation Hope” campaign, where children have joined together to share their thoughts on issues that are affecting their lives as a result of climate change. They agreed to become the “Heroes of the Planet” by creating and sharing messages and banners asking for the people to care for the environment; they also made superhero masks to build more enthusiasm and excitement for the big day, when they would gather in the same space to raise their voices. The meeting, was attended by 130 children from different communities in 4 municipalities of the department of Quiché in Guatemala. With the support of Save the Children's partner, CDRO, more children joined this movement to save the planet. The activity included the presentation of an interactive theatre play, called “Heroes of the Planet”, which invited them to take action to protect the planet. The activity was attended by the mayors of two municipalities, who were appointed spokespersons for the Generation Hope campaign at the end of 2023, during the simulation of COP 28. Their participation in 2024 is key, as they reiterate their support and commitment to this movement, led by and for children. Save the Children
Meet the generation who will change the world.
2.4 billion reasons to end the global inequity and climate crisis
Climate change isn't a threat to the future. For the world's 2.4 billion children, it's a global emergency today. A staggering 774 million children face the dual threat of poverty and climate emergency.
Our latest report, Generation Hope sets out why the climate emergency is deeply connected to inequality. In the report, more than 54,000 children from 41 countries in have shared their ideas and activism for building a greener and more just planet as well as their desire for real action from world leaders.
As one child in India told us, "unity is the greatest strength of all, so we need to stand together in this fight."
Negri Vaca Diez- Save the Children Bolivia
Negri Vaca Diez- Save the Children Bolivia
What we're calling for
Save the Children is calling on world leaders to urgently step up level of ambition to reduce emissions and support the most affected children. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a better world together by:
- Investing in children: All governments should spend more on building children’s services and safety nets to protect children, so they can reach their full potential.
- Tackling climate change: Our overheating planet poses a direct threat to children’s rights, lives and futures. Our leaders must urgently put children at the heart of the response to the climate crisis and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
- Sharing power with children: Leaders must give children a seat at the table when making decisions that affect them.
Sitali is a 12-year-old girl who lives with her parents and four siblings in a tiny village near the town of Mongu, in Western Province, Zambia. Her village is situated on the floodplains of the Zambezi River, and every year as the rainy season draws to a close, the Zambezi River pushes over its banks and onto the plains and grasslands of the floodplain. Daphnee Cook / Save the Children
Learn about a generation campaigning for change
Children are at the heart of our campaign. We are listening and following their lead. We are asking children across the world about their views on inequality and climate change throughout 2022.
Children are already leading the way towards a fairer, greener, more equal future.
