Youth
Open Letter
As youth leaders, we call on national governments to negotiate and implement an international Plant Based Treaty this decade, to avoid facing a climate catastrophe.
To The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP,
As youth leaders, we call on governments to negotiate, adopt and implement a Plant Based Treaty. Animal agriculture is fueling the climate, oceans, biodiversity and animal crisis. Along with fossil fuels, it is the nuclear weapon of our generation. We face an imminent threat and our future is rapidly disappearing before our eyes.
The youth of today are not only inheriting a world that is burning, flooding and melting, but we are being born into it. Current projections show that we are on track to reach 1.5C warming around the year 2030 and 2C by 2040.
We are adding our voices to the individuals, scientists, doctors, organizations and businesses calling for a Plant Based Treaty that phases out animal agriculture and ensures a fair and just transition towards a plant-based food system.
GRETA CUTHELL (17), PLANT BASED TREATY YOUTH AMBASSADOR:
“As we approach COP26, I feel deeply disheartened by the continuous ignorance that our world leaders are showing by not addressing the dire impacts of animal agriculture on our futures. We can no longer ignore the fact that raising and killing animals to consume is one of the most unsustainable things we can be doing for our planet. We can no longer gloss over these industries and look at them through rose-coloured glasses.
The time to act is now. We must act now to avoid facing a world where no one belongs. The truth is, this continued inaction from our governments is not only hurting me and the youth of the present, but it will impact future generations for centuries to come. It is not too late to take meaningful action to reverse damage to the environment, but 2021 is a make-it-or-break-it year. We must phase out animal agriculture, and we must do it now.”
This year’s COP26 Climate Talks in Glasgow is a critical time for the future of our planet. Policy makers must show leadership and address the causes of the climate crisis. They must act with justice and equity. They must lead a green recovery.
In the recent IPCC sixth assessment report, scientists warned that we need to cut methane emissions urgently to avoid facing a widespread collapse. This carbon-rich gas, produced predominantly from animal agriculture, heats the world far quicker than carbon dioxide – it has a “warming potential” more than 80 times stronger than that of CO2. Even if fossil fuel emissions stop immediately, emissions from our food systems alone could increase global temperatures by more than 1.5C in the near future. Lead reviewer of the IPCC, Durwood Zaelke, said methane reductions were most likely the “only way” of preventing a temperature rise of above 1.5C. He warns that if this is not achieved, extreme weather patterns will increase and several planetary tipping points could be triggered, from which there is no coming back. Zaelke points out that “cutting methane is the biggest opportunity to slow warming between now and 2040. We need to face this emergency.”
GENESIS BUTLER (14), PLANT BASED TREATY YOUTH AMBASSADOR:
“Youth around the world are urging world leaders at COP26 to not only start shifting away from fossil fuels, but to also shift away our current food system based on animal products, which is not climate friendly. Please act now. We don’t have time to waste.”
Addressing fossil fuels alone is not enough – we need immediate action on food systems too. The three main greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are at record levels and rapidly accelerating; animal agriculture contributes to all three but is the main driver of methane and nitrous oxide emissions globally.
Now is the time for governments to phase out animal agriculture. The science is clear, and the desire to move towards a better future is strong. We call on governments and policymakers to urgently commence negotiations to adopt and implement a Plant Based Treaty, laying out a binding global plan to:
Relinquish – Committing to no land use change, ecosystem degradation or deforestation for the purpose of animal agriculture.
Redirect – Actively transitioning away from animal based food systems to more sustainable plant-based food systems. As well as:
Restore – Actively restoring key ecosystems and reforesting the Earth.
We, the youth, refuse to compromise on our lives and the rights of others. We will not give up on fighting for a better future and present. A shift towards a plant-based food system is drastically needed in our fight for a world that leaves no one behind.
We youth will not stop. We are not backing down until animal agriculture is phased out and we begin our just transition.
We refuse to continue having our voices and participation in the climate crisis tokenized or silenced at global climate conferences. All at the same time, world leaders continue to support fossil fuels and animal agriculture interests, making crucial decisions behind closed doors. Not only are our voices completely dismissed, but those who live in the areas most vulnerable to the climate crisis are actively threatened, and our lives are put on the line, especially Indigenous youth – the environmental defenders of our planet.
Our house is on fire and it is time to extinguish the flames. Time is running out. We are fighting for a world that leaves no one behind.
Greta Cuthall, 17, Australia, Youth Climate Save Victoria
Genesis Butler, 14, USA, Youth Climate Save
Brunna Sachs, 12, Brazil, Youth Climate Save Brazil
Ana Piersso, 20, México, CDMX Climate Save
Adriana Ximena Gonzalez Ramirez, 20, México, CDMX Climate Save
Juana Agustín, 18, Argentina
Brenda Palacios Flores, 25, México
Abril Gioia, 25, Argentina, Chubut Climate Save
Sara Ailén Alvarengo, Argentina, Chubut Climate Save
Natasha Sofia Krywenki, 19, Argentina, Fridays for Future Rosario
Gael Sampedro, 20, Argentina, Climate Save Argentina
Muriel Otero Treacey, 22, Argentina, Climate Save
Alexis Soto, 23, Argentina
José María Britez, 20, Argentina, XR Rosario
Sofía Vergara Moya, 19, Argentina Fridays For Future
Nicolas Zagert, 24, Argentina
Melissa Cobb, 22, UK
Morgan Janowicz, 24, Poland, Green Rev Institute
Naman Dedhia, 19, India, Mumbai Animal Save
Amelia Falconer, 25, Australia
Bayo Alagbe, 24, Nigeria, Global Alliance for Ministry and infrastructure for Peace (GAMIP), Youth Forum
Prajesh Palaniraj, 19, India
Tanmayi Shinde, 20, Sagar Seva, Fridays For Future, Jeevitnadi, Concerned Punekars, India
Deborah Romola Opanike, 22, Nigeria, GAMIP
Clement Oluwapelumi, 24, Nigeria, GAMIP
Patrícia Ramos, 23, Portugal
Imogen Baines, 20, UK
Lizbeth T, 19, Panama, Animal Save Movement
Scully Mendoza, 20, Panama, Animal Save Panama
Khushi Tatawat, 19, India, Indore Animal Save
Rosmy Postigo, 20, Peru
Tamara Velazquez, 25, Argentina
Joaquín Lisandro Martinez, 24, Argentina
Maya Lewis, 18, United States
Isidro Isidro Sánchez, 25, Argentina, Climate Save
Glenda Mangia, 25, Argentina, Ecoclub Paraná
Bryanna Cañete, 18, Argentina
Marina Corvalan, 19, Argentina, Difusión V
Ruth Nelci Huacca Arce, 24, Colombia, Medellín Climate Save
Prutha Goswami, 21, India
Natalia Galindo, 21, México, Hermosillo Animal Save
Daniel Orrego, 23, Colombia
Alicia Young, 22, Australia, University of Melbourne Vegan Club
Pamela Huacca, 23, Colombia, Climate Save Medellin -Colombia
Rachel Lowenberg, 18, Canada, Future Majority
Gabriela Ramirez, 20, México
Martina Andriossi, 18, Argentina, Health Save
Maria Camila Mármol Quintero, 19, Colombia, Animal Save Medellin
Ivana Yazmín Gauto, 21, Argentina
Marlene Teufel, 23, Germany Peta2 Street Team
Luisa Keil, 22, Germany
Emilio Navarro, 25, España, Youth Climate Save Valencia
Hernan Perez Guardo, 21, Argentina, Health Save
Estefanía Santos, 23, Argentina
Verónica A. Morel Graziani, 24, Argentina, Health Save Argentina
Julieta di Chiara, 21, Argentina
Chloe Thompson, 25, UK
Daniela Matías, 18, México
Alejandro Villegas Rosa, 24, Spain
Angeles Saavedra, 19, México, Puebla Climate Save
Daniela González, 18, México, Laguna Animal Save
Alejandra Gallego, 28, Colombia
Andrea Nakagawa, 18, Peru
Roli Jain, 29, India
Akshay Jain, 24, India,
Muskaan Tatawat, 23, India
Parva Jain, 20, India
Elizabeth Alejandra, 22, Perú, DifusionVeganaLima
Rabia Turhan, 21, Yenimahalle, Ankara animal save
Amelia Falconer, 25, Australia
Umti Alis, 22, Turkey
Maria Margarida Soares Henriques, 16, Portugal
Louise Karaska-McDonald, 18, UK, Youth Animal Save England,
Merve Çelik, 23, Turkey, Ankara Animal Save
Netanel Shaller, 25, Israel, Israel animal save
Ohad Ben shlomo, 20, Israel
Mawu Caceres, 28, Argentina, Animal Save Movement
Bee Labutale, 20, UK, Youth Climate Save
Benjamin Foster, 19, UK
Maria Fernanda Salles, 18, Brazil, Youth Animal Save Brasil
C Phillips, 23, Ontario
Sophia Hatamleh, 17, USA, Youth Climate Save
Carlos Carvalho, 21, Portugal
Zurisadai Meza, 23, México
Gaya Elgarbi, 21, Israel
María Belén Baño, 19, Ecuador
Halel Shafir, 18, Israel
Reut Bleicher, 19, Israel
Chiel van der Wal, 18, The Netherlands, Youth Climate Save
Nikhita Kalluri’s, 19, USA, Youth Climate Save
Brian Kiptoo, 18, Kenya
Gema Bello Justo, 21, Puebla Animal Save
Juan Carlos, 25, Puebla, Voluntario
Chelsea Giles, 19, México, Climate Save
Nelly Valenzuela, 24, México, Climate Save Puebla
Berkay Yıldırır, 22, Turkey
Raymundo San Martin, 25, México, Puebla Climate save
Matilde Signorini, 24, Italy
Mariana Guagnini, 25, Argentina, Health Save Argentina
Cristina Facchinello, 22, Italy
Ali Shuhaib, 21, India, Animal Save Movement
Adrián Abuín, 23, Spain
Pratik Ankush, 19, India, Fridays for Future
Robyn Mcsharry, 20, UK
Shubham Thakur, 20, India
Jessica Martin, 24, UK
Topeka Gibson, 22, USA
Ji-Kei Mah, 20, Canada
Agnes Grömer, 23, Austria
Adriana Bascone, 24, Austria, European Youth Energy Network (EYEN)
Nicole Linton, 25, Scotland
Alice Bergonzi, 20, Italy
Harshit Kumar Urmaliya, 20, India, Yuva task force
Sourabh Sahu, 19, India
Sadiya Bano, 23, India, Yuva task force
Vikash Kumar, 21, India
Bharatdeep Singhbedi, 22, India, Yuva task force
Stuti Dhanalal, 18, India, Yuva task force
Aman Gangrade, 22, India, Yuva task force
Rishabh Chourasiya, India, Jabalpur Animal Save
Sanjana Roy, 23, India
Kasha Sequoia Slavner, 24, The Global Sunrise Project
Jorge Chirinos, 18, Perú
Mira Monson, 20, USA
Emily St.Onge, 24, USA
Suvi Kangaspuoskari, 25, Finland
Elisa Pedruzzi, 20, Italy, Fridays for Future
Ryan Edwards, 24, Wales
Mahendra Beldar, 24, India
Maria Chiara Olmetti, 25, Italy
Sofía Jiménez, 18, México
Poppy Permatasari, 22, Indonesia
Hayleigh Westerman, 21, Scotland
Greta Shuli, 20, Albani
João Vieira, 25, Portugal
Meg Watkins, 24, Australia, Young Animal Justice Party Victoria
Alessia Trabucco, 21, Italy
Karl Broch, 23, Canada
Marcela Alvarez, 18, Perú
Aditya Raj, 23, India
Rowan Leeder, 20, UK
Mohemed Ashik, 23, India
Koneti Sreekanth, 24, India
Clémentine Dècle, 23, Netherlands, Conscious Kitchen; 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth
Lauren Bird, 23, South Africa
Ragul Valavan, 19, India
Isabel Keener, 19, USA
Violeta Sánchez, 18, Spain
Nandini Sharma, 18, India
Dipti Shrivastava, 25, India
Jason Savoie, 25, Canada
Israel Amuri, 20, Finland
Nuria Angeles, 25, Perú, Nunusfera
Jyona Roy Biswas, 18, India, Food Wave Project, YOUNGO, Youth Connect
Sam Schultz, 25, USA
Katarina Dulude, 21, USA, Sunrise
Nguyễn Duyên, 20, Viet Nam
Nguyễn Nghi, 18, Viet Nam
Kate Kazakova, 20, UK
Eve Sheils, 18, UK
Elisa Molkentien, 21, Germany, Animal Rebellion
Emily Massam, 21, UK
Jenna Keeble, 23, Canada
William Westerberg, 21 Canada
Jasleen Johal, 24, Canada, Earth Guardians
Aaron Moy, 21, Canada
David Wachsmann, 24, USA
Gaia Bellafiore, 23, Italy
Skylar Enge, 19, USA
Diana Tena, 23, Perú
Mattis Tebäck, 24, Sweden
David Angulo, 24, Perú
Johanna Vilchez, 22, Perú
Keyla Garcia, 24, Perú
Lilly Thornton, 19, Australia
Danyel Alexander, 23, Canada
Leilani Gonzalez, 18, USA
Georgia Brown, 25, UK
Katarine Anna Robertson, 21, UK
Paige Eastep, 18, USA
Bharati Singh, 18, India, Fridays for Future Lucknow
Khushman Aggarwal, 18, India, Fridays for Future Lucknow
Rachel Smith, 25, USA
Annmarie Rousseaux, 24, USA
Sudeshna Mishra, 24, India
Levin Staendeke, 19, German
Keeyan Nejad, 24, UK
Katy Berry, 25, UK
Emmy Banner-Smith, 22, New Zealand
Isobel Dawson, 24, Italy
Katye Gaynor, 24, Ireland
Kushal Sharma, 21, Nepal
Maria Catarina Mendes, 23, Portugal
Aniana Teixeira, 19, Portugal, Animal Save Portugal
Carrington Bates, 22, United States, S.O.S PETA
Ethan Shi, 22, Canada
Shakti Tamkumar, 25, Canada
Daniela Castro, 20, Colombia, Sinergia Animal
Yasemin Sicim, 23, Belgium
Diogo Botas, 24, Portugal
Cristina Facchinello, 23, Italy, Greenpeace Italy
Loes Mulder, 22, Netherlands
Maggie Topalian, 23, United States
Evelina Ljungbeck, 24, Sweden
Tegan Kemp, 23, UK
Andre Kirchner, 22, South Africa
Kultaran Singh, 22, India
Jasmine Ruiz, 25, United States
Kaitlyn Thomas, 21, United States