The world is on red alert. Humanity faces no greater challenge than the unfolding climate and ecological emergency caused by global heating and the widespread destruction of nature.

The 2.2 billion children alive today have contributed the least to this challenge but their lives and futures will be most affected – not only an unfortunate paradox but also a great injustice.

Unsurprisingly, children and young people world-wide have been speaking out – in their schools, on the streets, and outside conference halls – to raise more awareness and mobilise more action to protect their future, and the future of generations to come. It’s a struggle they must not lose.

My Forest Child supports their struggle. Some of the money we raise is used to support local children and youth to design, implement and lead their own “Red Alert” campaigns to increase awareness and action on the climate and nature crisis.

RED ALERT

Through these Red Alert campaigns, young activists conduct various activities – ranging from sharing messages on social media to holding meetings with officials – to urge local communities, businesses and government policymakers to make changes in behaviour and practice.

Among other things, Red Alert activists are calling for the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles and consumer habits, accelerating the switch to renewable energy, reducing plastic use and pollution, and increasing international aid to help the most vulnerable developing countries and communities adapt to the growing impacts of the climate crisis.

Over the past year, Red Alert campaigners have shared their messages via blogs, podcasts, and social media to reach audiences around the globe. They have also engaged with numerous policymakers worldwide – including meetings with government officials in countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal as well as addressing delegates at international climate conferences such as COP26 in Glasgow.

Such activities have included climate “artivism” (or activism through art). The World in Their Hands is an online interactive gallery that exhibits the artistic expressions of climate concerns and solutions from children from nine different Asian countries who had entered a regional competition. The winners of various categories were chosen by a panel of child judges.

These Core Values drive our long-term strategies and short-term goals, and they underpin our mission to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and achieve immediate and lasting impact in their lives.