Climate activists, youth groups and environmentalists participated in the "Youth4Climate" debate competition last Friday to put the spotlight on global climate change issues.

The competition was held at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) and was hosted by the British High Commission together with Samoan climate activists Grace Ah Young and Okalani Mariner.

Ms Ah Young and Ms Mariner are Samoa's youth delegates who will represent the country in next month's Youth4Climate Conference in Milan, Italy where some of the issues highlighted during the debate will be taken.

In her opening address, Ms. Ah Young said that climate change is real and was optimistic in the world addressing the issue.

"The good news is that it doesn't have to be like this," she said. "We can tackle this problem if we act now."

She said Ms. Mariner will join her and 400 other young delegates from around the world for a comprehensive discussion focusing on climate solutions whose outputs will feed directly into October's pre-COP summit.

"The Youth4Climate initiative amplifies the work of young climate leaders and celebrates the power of the young generation to drive ambitious climate action," she said.

"We will not only go as individuals, as members of our family, we will go representing the youth of Samoa, the future of our country and everybody participating today has done environmental work in Samoa or has knowledge about it.

"And we feel that your opinions and thoughts are valuable in our preparations for pre-COP26.

"Why is tackling climate change not at the top of everyone's agenda? We are hoping that by hosting this debate competition, we can inspire the youth to have passionate behaviors and have an environmentally conscious mindsets."

Three youth groups attended the debate competition: the Lanulauava Student Association, Salani Bright Horizon and the Peer-2-Peer Initiative.

The groups discussed various issues during the debate that touched on the Samoa Government's plastic policy, climate change and health, and whether there is enough indigenous representation at global climate change conferences.

Ms. Ah Young told the Samoa Observer that the debate competition went beyond her expectations as one of the facilitators. 

"It was such an enjoyable and learning experience especially as a facilitator, learning about the points of views of other youth groups," she said.

Asked what some of the issues raised during the debate were that they'll take to the Milan conference, she said: "One of the things that we will keep in mind is the importance of our culture to our people and the effect it will have  on our decision making.

"We would also like to raise awareness on how important it is that our indigenous people be part of important climate decisions, actions, and policy making, and encourage the youth of Samoa to never lose their passion and drive."

The issues that the debate competition focused on were also highlighted by the N.U.S. Vice-Chancellor and President, Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma in his remarks last Friday.

He said we can all learn from them and his his interest was in the role of climate change in health, adding that there is literature on the potential effect of climate change on health.

Aiono said the importance of supporting youth advocating for the environment and conservation is acknowledgement that we are all citizens of planet earth. 

"Anything that's happening in other countries affects us," he said.

The Peer-2-Peer Initiative group was the overall winner of the debate competition with Salani Bright Horizon securing second place and the Lanulauava Student Association coming third.