Over 13,000 children in 18 countries have participated in one of the world’s largest children’s consultations on climate change, calling for faster action to address the climate crisis during a year marred by unprecedented drought, ferocious heatwaves, and devastating floods.

Children from Egypt, UK, Indonesia, Nepal, Norway, Lebanon, Kenya and South Africa, Malawi and in other countries have participated in the consultations facilitated by Save the Children and running from May to July.

In the sessions held in Türkiye, particularly in Istanbul, Antakya, Diyarbakir and Mardin provinces, dozens of children, including refugees, expressed how the climate crisis and economic inequality affect their lives and their expectations from adults. In addition to holding sessions in Diyarbakır and Mardin in cooperation with Istanbul and Antakya Community Centers, Save the Children Türkiye Country Office also held sessions with Support to Life, a humanitarian organization, in July. Participants shared their views on the current situation both via drawings and games:

“I plant flowers wherever I go. This is my way of making my voice heard.” - Sude*, 13, Syrian refugee living in Türkiye

“As the pollution in the water increases, there is also an increase in pediatric diseases.” - Sama*, 14, Syrian refugee living in Türkiye

“People waste a lot of food, we watch their videos on TikTok.” - Ömer*, 13, Türkiye

Children affected by inequality and discrimination, such as those from lower-income families or refugee communities, are more at risk of the impacts of climate change, Save the Children said. They are most likely to lack access to quality healthcare, have underlying health conditions or be malnourished, and their families are least likely to be able to afford damage caused to livelihoods and homes.

“Floods, famine, high prices of goods and communicable diseases are becoming common problems and these are due to climate change.”  - Veronica*, a 15-year-old girl in Malawi

“Our families and adults lived this life, but we are the ones who will continue living on this earth.” Fariha*, a 17-year-old girl in Türkiye.

Angelique Orr, Save the Children’s Director of Campaigns, said: “Young people around the world are already leading the way on climate change and inequality campaigning. Our job is to support them, give them space, amplify their message, listen to them, and take action.

“We’re excited about the youth voice which is emerging through these hearings, and we are committed to amplifying them wherever and however possible. Organisations like Save the Children must campaign alongside children to urgently address the connected crises of economic inequality and climate change.”

Save the Children aims to support at least 50,000 children over the next three years to lead campaigns for a world that cares for children and their planet.

*Children's names have been changed for security reasons.