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| Walter P., Coralin, Mary Robinson and Yvo de Boer |
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| Flooding in Belize |
Walter P., a young boy from Belize was one of several children who spoke at a meeting focused on children in changing climate. Introduced by Mary Robinson (a human rights activist) and Yvo de Boer (past Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC), the children spoke of how climate change has directly affected them. Maya, from Indonesia, spoke of how a flash flood took the life of her friend. Coralin is only 14 years old, but she has lived through 14 hurricanes and one earthquake in her Haitian home. Gwendolyn, from Mexico, reminded the audience that “We have suffered,” and asked, “We are willing to work with you , are you willing to work with us?” Most directly, Walter recalled the flood in his village from two years ago when there was water surrounding his house and there was no dry ground. He ended his story by reminding us, “My life is real, and so am I.”
Walter is only 12 (the youngest delegate at COP16, I believe). I heard him speak last week about how people in his village, like many of the people experiencing severe weather effects in countries we don't often pay attention to, are suffering greatly, but they don't know why such dramatic changes are occurring.
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