Climate change and environmental challenges were a hot topic at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as industry leaders, old and young, stood up to make their voice heard in the fight to protect the planet.

In partnership with a number of organisations six co-chairs from the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers community launched a new global campaign known as #VoiceForThePlanet.

The campaign, which is being led by a network of inspiring young people all under the age of 30, aims to raise awareness of the complex relationship between people and nature.

Urgent action required

Speaking at the event Akira Sakano, CEO of Zero Waste Academy in Japan, told the forum that younger generations don’t have to stop and think about whether to take action for the environment, “It just comes naturally, like breathing”.

Sixteen-year-old climate activist, Greta Thunberg, also appealed to attendees to add their voice to the growing global movement of people calling for a new deal between nature and people.

“I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic … and act as if the house was on fire,” she urged.

Mass support

Through the campaign the organisers hope to raise their voice for nature and show leaders in businesses and government that they have the support of citizens, consumers, and employees to raise the level of ambition and action for safeguarding nature, protecting oceans and forests, and tackling climate change.

The initiative is supported by 21 organisations from around the world including Nature4Climate, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).  

To add your voice to the call for urgent action you can visit the #VoiceForThePlanet website at: https://voicefortheplanet.org/globe