'Anote's Ark' film reminds us of why we need to act for the climate now and why the youth led climate marches are so important

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From left to right: Petra Hongell from the UN Regional Information Centre (UNRIC);Anuna De Wever #Youthforclimate Belgian activist; Rachel Simon from Climate Action Network Europe; Thierry Lucas from UN Environment Brussels Office

On 20 March, the UN in Brussels welcomed Anuna De Wever, Belgian #Youthforclimate activist in energising discussions after the screening of a documentary on climate change.

Climate change is posing an existential challenge to people all over our planet and requires urgent action now! This was made painfully clear at the CineONU screening of Anote’s Ark on 20 March in Brussels and the following discussions.

Pacific island Kiribati with its 100.000 inhabitants, is on the brink of disappearing as a result of climate change before the end of the century. Rising sea levels and more extreme weather are threatening the small island nation’s existence. “What will happen to us is going to be the fate of the rest who follow” warned former President Anote Tong to the global community in the film. He had made it his mission to find ways to protect his nation’s people and their dignity.

The film was greatly welcomed by the panel members in a discussion after the screening. “Anote’s Ark shows that Kiribati’s people’s fight is everyone’s fight” said Rachel Simon from Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe). “The film helps you understand why we should fight for action right now, and that it is so good that young people are fighting for this all over the world today,” pointed out Thierry Lucas, acting Head of the UN Environment Brussels Office.

“We will fight with him” assured Anuna De Wever, a leading activist of the Belgian #YouthforClimate marches in Belgium. “People don’t know what is going on, that’s why we strike” she said citing a friend who believes that’ if only half of the people knew half of the problem, it would be solved’. “It is so easy to not look at it and go to your comfort zone. But climate change will catch up on us and then it is too late” she pointed out while thanking educators for their support to the youth movement.

The weekly marches of youth for climate that is spreading worldwide demonstrate that one generation all over the world can unite around climate change, something policymakers are apparently not up to, observed Anuna. The movement is growing with now also grandparents for climate, children for climate, scientists for climate … but no ‘politicians for climate’!

The European elections in May are an opportunity to influence politics on the matter, a chance to vote for politicians who strive for greater EU ambition on climate action. In this regard and in reaction to a question from the floor Rachel and Thierry pointed out that the ranking of political parties on climate related issues can be found on various websites, including CAN Europe.  Anuna advised to look out for the political debates in the run up to the elections to help identify politicians who will stand up for the climate.

But there are also other ways we can act on climate change. “We all have the power to do something” said Thierry who advocated for sustainable consumption and production, for making the right choices as individuals such as on the food we eat, the means of transport we take, etc. He also saw a role for diplomacy referring to international negotiations on climate change. And yes, the strikes are helping put pressure on the politicians to move and are very much encouraged.

In reaction to questions from the audience on the role of banks and the impact of the digital economy on climate change, panelists agreed that individuals cannot solve climate change on a personal level. Rachel underlined the need to transform whole economies towards fossil fuel free economies. Businesses have a very important role to play, giving the example of digital corporations committing to renewable targets and becoming more energy efficient. Banks are also called upon to divest funding out of the fossil fuel industry, and EU legislation is pushing the banks to disclose information on emissions related to finance - to name some examples.

Anuna added that we need the big polluting businesses on board, and convince them we cannot continue this way, as they have the money to make the transition. She advocated for discussions with banks amongst others, “we need to unite instead of divide”. A name and shaming of corporations was considered a way for bringing companies to act, said Rachel in response to a suggestion from the floor to start a social media campaign against companies who are polluting. Thierry assured the audience that much is already happening, with even large multinationals committing to reduce their environmental footprints in longer term strategies. He preferred a more positive approach, whereby we should support companies that do well rather than focus on those who are doing bad, as was the approach of the Paris Climate Agreement. 

In concluding the discussions, all panelists were excited about the youth for climate marches, and what impact they have. Anuna was very much encouraged to continue. She reassured the audience “from now on we will get bigger and bigger – we are not done yet (…). No worries, we will keep striking!” . “This is not just a movement, it’s the start of a new age,” “when enough people are convinced about the fact that we are facing an existential crisis then it will solve itself. But we need to spread the message and make people aware.” By doing so, the climate marches reinforce the message of Anote and his strife for the people of Kiribati.

The event was preceded with a Facebook Live with Anuna De Wever at UNRIC - you can watch it again here

For more information on Ciné-ONU, also known as United Nations Cinema and which is organized regularly by the UN Regional Information Centre in Brussels, see here: https://www.unric.org/en/next-screening