Save the Children Nepal’s, child activist, Anuska, met Roger Federer

Kathmandu: Save the Children Nepal’s, child activist, Anuska, met Roger Federer. “Thank you, Roger Federer for your advocacy on early education. Save the Children Nepal’s, child activist, Anuska, met with him & spoke to him about Nepal’s education system & called on for his support to influence world leaders to work towards climate informed quality education”, said Save the Children Nepal.

‘Saathi’ — the Air Bear and the remarkable 17-year-old child activist Anuska from Nepal joined the Climate Protestors March in New York yesterday. “We need to incorporate climate education into the curriculum. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” – Anuska, 17, Nepali child activist currently at the #UNGA #SDG Summit with the #AirBear in New York with
Save the Children.

A giant white teddy bear has travelled from Nepal to New York with a child campaigner to draw attention to the impact of air pollution on children and push world leaders attending the global goals summit to take action to protect children’s futures.

The bear, known as Saathi the “Air Bear” in Nepal, has been travelling with climate activists around Nepal in a truck for the past six months to highlight the impact of air pollution. Saathi, which means ‘friend or buddy’ in Nepali, had the colour of its fur monitored over its journey while meeting policymakers, entertainers and visiting schools and. During its journey, Saathi’s fur has gone from a bright white to a dark grey. The bear will be accompanied at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Action Weekend in New York by child activist, 17-year-old Anuska, who will speak about the pressing need for substantive progress by governments to advance the globally agreed goals, including the goal to protect the planet so it can support present and future generations.

The latest update of the Air Quality Life Index from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago estimated that air pollution is the most significant threat to human health in Nepal, reducing life expectancy by 4.6 years on average. Nepal is ranked as the third most polluted country globally after Bangladesh and India. Air pollution is also linked to respiratory diseases, heart problems, and even cognitive impairment in children.

In the lead up to the summit, Anuska said: “Children are among the most vulnerable groups to the climate crisis, and we need to discuss how climate change imperils children’s rights and the prospects of future generations. Our future hangs in the balance due to climate change. My message at the SDG Summit will underscore the significance of world leaders attuning themselves to the lived experiences of children, rather than basing their decisions on perspectives unfamiliar to children.”

The Air Bear initiative is part of Save the Children’s ‘Generation Hope’ campaign that aims to raise awareness of the impact of the climate crisis that is threatening the future, survival, learning, and safety of children.

Save the Children helped shape the SDGs and the accompanying 2030 Agenda, which recognizes children as agents of change. The SDGs were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 to provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At their heart was an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.