In a bold act of defiance, 12-year-old Indian climate activist Licypriya Kangujam took the global stage by storm at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP28) in Dubai.
The young environmentalist from Manipur, who serves as a Special Envoy of Timor Leste, interrupted a high-level plenary session with a clear message: “End fossil fuels. Save our planet and our future.”
Kangujam’s protest was met with applause from some delegates, but it also led to her being detained for over half an hour.
Following her demonstration, she was escorted out and informed that her accreditation to the conference had been revoked. The incident sparked outrage as Kangujam took to social media to express her frustration and call for support from UN officials, including Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres and COP28 President Simon Stiell.
“What is the reason to cease my badge for protesting against the fossil fuels? If you’re really standing against the fossil fuelsthen you must support me and you must immediately release my badges,” Kangujam tweeted. She argued that the actions taken against her were a “gross violation and abuse of Child Rights in the UN premises,” which contradicts the principles of the United Nations.
The young activist’s plea underscores the tension between the need for free expression and the strict regulations governing protests at the summit.
Her actions come at a critical time when the debate over phasing out fossil fuels is at the forefront of climate discussions, with nearly 200 countries attempting to address this pressing issue.
Licypriya Kangujam has been a vocal advocate for climate action since she was seven years old, earning recognition and awards for her efforts, including a World Children’s Peace Prize.
Her recent protest at COP28 highlights the urgency felt by many, especially the younger generation, for immediate and decisive action to combat the climate crisis.