According to the United Nations, Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities, and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow. One issue that needs to be talked about more, especially among young people is Land Degradation and Desertification, because, in light of increasing impacts of global warming, failure to invest in restoring and protecting drylands will put future food supplies at risk.
This is in relation to SDG 15, specifically 15.3 with a target to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030.
The UNCCD COP 13 which holds at the Ordos International Convention and Exhibition Center, China has been organized for regional consultations on the challenges, issues at hand and next steps by affected country parties.
SustyVibes is excited to be a part of this event; represented by founder – Jennifer Uchendu who was nominated by affiliated CSO – SME Funds will attend the Youth Forum at the conference from September 8-10, 2017.
The Youth forum has been organized in collaboration with State Forestry Administration of China (SFA), All China Youth Federation and United Nations Environment Programme. The forum aims to recognize the critical roles young people play in achieving the SDGs (particularly SDG 15.3) as well as create a platform for youths to share experiences and ideas on combating desertification and land degradation.
There will also be an interesting field trip to the Kubuqi Desert, one of the largest in China, an area severely affected by storms that blew uncontrollably over the vast expanses of sand.
Daily posts will be sent out on the outcome of the youth forum sessions and our social media channels will be updated with posts as well, follow with hashtags – #UNCCDCOP13 and #SustyVibesCOP13.