Licypriya passionately advocates for global cooperation to address the climate crisis, detained for 30 minutes during UN Plenary session.
In a bold move at COP28, Licypriya Kangujam, one of India’s youngest climate activists, disrupted the UN High-level Plenary session, passionately urging governments to unite and phase out fossil fuels, identified as the primary cause of the ongoing climate crisis.
Via a microblogging site, Licypriya emphasized the urgency, stating, “Governments must work together to phase out coal, oil, and gas – the top cause of the climate crisis today. Your action today will decide our future tomorrow.”
Expressing concern about the devastating impact of climate change on millions of children, she called for a shift in priorities, saying, “Sacrificing the lives of millions of innocent children for the failures of our leaders is unacceptable at any cost.”
Despite being detained for nearly 30 minutes, Licypriya remained resolute, emphasizing the real climate emergency and the need to redirect resources towards ending hunger, providing education, and combating climate change instead of engaging in wars.
She pleaded for basic rights, stating, “We want clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a clean planet to live.” Despite her detention and subsequent release, Licypriya remains steadfast in her commitment to saving the planet and securing a better future.
In response to the disruption, other climate activists expressed concerns about COP28 being held in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that this might hinder progress in the crucial phase-out of fossil fuels. Licypriya’s actions, along with the collective efforts of climate activists, underscore the growing urgency for global unity in addressing the climate crisis.
12-year-old Licypriya has now been ‘removed’ COP28 for her desperate protest.