Climate change is often discussed as a future challenge.
But for many communities, it is already part of everyday life.
My name is Patience Njewa, a youth climate advocate from Malawi, a Least Developed Country where communities and livelihoods are already experiencing the serious impacts of climate change. For many people, these impacts are not distant or theoretical. They are visible in daily activities, in how people farm, access water, and sustain their families.
Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges of our time. In Malawi, many communities depend heavily on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods. Changing weather patterns, droughts, and floods are increasingly affecting these communities and threatening their resilience and development. When the rains do not come as expected, crops fail. When droughts occur, the land becomes less productive. When floods happen, they can destroy homes, farmland, and infrastructure within a short period of time. These situations create uncertainty and make it more difficult for communities to plan for the future.
Through my engagement with the Climate Leadership Initiative, through the New Generation Program, I have had the opportunity to connect with a new generation of young climate leaders from different parts of the world. This experience has given me important insight into how young people are actively shaping the future of climate action, while also learning how to engage more effectively in climate negotiation spaces. It has helped me to better understand how global processes work, and how young people can contribute in meaningful ways.
What inspires me most is that this generation is not simply waiting to become future leaders. They are already leading change today. Through mentorship, coaching sessions, and shared learning, young climate leaders are supporting one another, exchanging knowledge, and encouraging collective action for climate solutions. This support system creates a space where learning is continuous and where individuals feel encouraged to grow and contribute.
One moment that stood out to me during the New Generation Programme coaching sessions was seeing how openly young leaders shared their ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, there was a strong sense of shared purpose. We were all working towards strengthening climate action at both community and national levels. This openness made it easier to learn from each other and to understand different approaches to similar challenges.
Their commitment to building resilience, strengthening the adaptive capacity of communities, and contributing to emissions reduction efforts shows clearly that young people have an important role to play in addressing the climate crisis. Their work demonstrates that youth are not only aware of the challenges, but are actively working on solutions that can create real impact.
Being part of this journey has strengthened my determination to continue advocating for climate action. It has also reinforced my belief that young voices must be included in decision-making spaces where climate policies and strategies are shaped. Without these voices, important perspectives from affected communities may not be fully represented.
I feel ready to contribute at the national level, and in global spaces such as COP31 and beyond, if given the opportunity. This would allow me to share the experiences of my community, learn from others, and work together with fellow youth advocates to advance meaningful climate solutions. It would also provide an opportunity to bring forward perspectives that are grounded in real experiences from communities facing climate impacts.
Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow.
They are the leaders of today, shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
