Reflections from COP27 delegate, Izzy Zhu-Maguire

In November, international delegates gathered at the world’s biggest forum on climate change, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Monash sent a delegation from across the University including our own SDSN AusNZPac Youth Coordinator, Izzy Zhu-Maguire. At the end of week one, she reflected on her experience of the event, as well as three things that we can all do to mitigate climate change.

Why are you passionate about Climate Change?

There are no reasons why people should not be passionate about climate change. The effects of climate change will impact us all. And I, as a young person, will experience these effects more intensely compared to the generations before me. Climate change will also impact the people who are marginalised more intensely. Hence, I’m passionate as I need to use my privilege to fight for those who are marginalised and silenced.

What are your hopes for COP27?

I hope that global leaders will see strength in numbers. I hope that they see young people and indigenous leaders speaking out against climate change and they will feel the pressure to act on our cries. But I also hope activists will find community. Climate action is an exhausting space to be in and can be very isolating. So I hope activists are able to find each other at COP and create a community of love and support.

Has your experience at COP27 matched your expectations?

Many aspects have – for example, I expected to find a community of young people (particularly Asia-Pacific young people) and I did. I met the most amazing, empathetic, intelligent people and I am excited to keep working with them.

However, I did expect COP to be more accessible. I thought there would be more opportunity to contribute to high level discussions. However, in reality I experienced a rigid hierarchy whereby most activists do not get the opportunity to contribute. That was a disappointing reality.

What expertise have you shared at COP27?

I shared my organisation knowledge and organised two meet-ups with Asia-Pacific Youth at COP27. These were my favourite moments of the whole COP – meeting one-another and working together to create impact that could last beyond COP27.

I also shared my project ‘Afghan women at the forefront of climate change’ at a press conference. This was an incredible experience to create a voice for Afghan women who have been silenced.

What are your key takeaways from COP27?

Young people are incredibly intelligent – they are experts on everything. They know more than people think and should be trusted more as negotiators and delegates.

There is still much more work to be done – inaccessibility is still an issue for first nations people, people with disabilities and the poor.

What are the top three things we can do to mitigate climate change?

1. Speak out. Whilst progress is slow, much of the progress we are seeing is as a direct result of global unrest. The best thing you can do is stand-up and speak out.
2. Join movements. There are so many climate initiatives popping up around the world. But I believe the best thing you can do is join a movement that already exists that you care about. Localise the movement for your local context but create strength in numbers. Sometimes the best thing you can do is be an ally and supporter of a movement that is already proven successful.
3. Take time for yourself. Everyone at COP is exhausted, burnt-out and anxious. The movement will not survive if we are all just hanging on by a thread. Take the time you need to rest – sometimes, that can be the best thing you can do for the movement.