Climate change is changing childhood

Children make up a third of the world’s population. They are least responsible for the climate crisis yet face the burden of its worsening impacts. Children are also agents of change in responding to the effects of climate change, whether as activists, campaigners, first responders, or peer educators. Despite these realities, children’s needs, perspectives, and voices are routinely invisible in climate decision-making, policy-making, and action.

Hosted by UNICEF Australia, this expert panel discussion delves into the unique impacts of climate change on children’s health and wellbeing, and the services that are critical to their development, including early education, and mental health. It considers the solutions at the local, national, and Asia-Pacific levels, and explores the importance of investing in innovative forms of child participation in climate policymaking.

The panel will be moderated by Nishadh Rego, Head of Climate, UNICEF Australia and include: 

• Dr. Cybele Dey, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, The Sydney Children's Hospital Network and Co-Chair of the Mental Health Special Interest Group, Doctors for the Environment (DEA)

• Lincoln Ingraville, Young Ambassador, UNICEF Australia

• Nic Seton, CEO, Parents for Climate 

• Yehansa Dahanayake, Youth Climate Activist and Researcher, Young and Resilient Research Centre, Western Sydney University 

• Katie Maskiell, Head of Policy and Advocacy, UNICEF Australia