The current global climate emergency means the term ‘Climate Change’ has become synonymous with negative environmental statistics. However, in places like the Ankawa region of Erbil, Iraq, ‘Climate Change’ means something very different.
Here you will meet a group of motivated and passionate young people who are cultivating lasting change in their community with projects that positively impact the local environment.
“Even small steps, when taken with purpose, can lead to real change.”
— Onel Kakona, Project Leader
The Climate Leaders programme actively involves children – encouraging them to become champions for change in the environment and their own lives. By taking ownership, submitting proposals for environmental action then working together on implementation, they bring lasting change for themselves, their communities, and future generations.
Embrace partner Ankawa Humanitarian Committee (AHC) ran the programme in 4 schools this last academic year with over 300 students participating.
Their first big initiative saw the students plant 500 Dondonaea shrubs, 70 Eucalyptus trees, and 2 Date Palms in the Al-Rajaa Capella area, and install a 40,000-litre water tank drip irrigation system, ensuring sustainability.
Watch the young Climate Leaders at work with their Greening Campaign in the Al-Rajaa Capella area:
Lathan’s Story:
10-year-old Lathan has been truly inspired by his participation in the Climate Leaders programme. Like many children his age, Lathan had spent most of his spare time playing with friends and never really gave a second thought to where his rubbish ended up or what effect his choices and actions would have on the planet.
As Lathan joined in the Climate Leaders activities and mentoring sessions he started to see the world differently. He began to realise how serious the climate crisis is and was challenged by how few people cared enough to stand up and take action. Motivated by feelings of concern and responsibility, Lathan was determined to create something meaningful when asked to submit a proposal for a climate change project. Seeing his ideas for Greening Campaigns become a reality at his school and in the local area was a proud and emotional moment for Lathan, as you can see in the video above.
Lathan is also sharing his passion for the environment with his family. At home he has implemented a recycling scheme and worked with his mum to repurpose plastic bottles into planters, adding flowers to their garden.
“I’m small right now but I’m trying my best. I would like to be a businessman who helps heal the earth, planting trees, launching recycling initiatives, and creating a better future.”
— Lathan – Young Climate Leader
The Future is Green
The AHC aim to build on the success of the Climate Leaders initiatives by running a Sustainable Schools programme in 3 more schools in the Erbil area. The schools are a kindergarten, a primary school and a secondary school – so if all pupils engage as passionately as previous groups have done, the result will be an entire generation of young people, from early years right up to young adults, who are informed, passionate, motivated and empowered to make a practical difference in their homes, schools and communities – creating lasting positive environmental change.
A key part of the Sustainable Schools programme is the installation of solar panels at each of the participating schools. The new solar panels will be able to power newly installed, energy-efficient AC units, significantly improving the learning environment for all. When pupils experience the positive impact of using renewable energy in their school every day, there is no doubt that they will be inspired and motivated to implement many other small but significant changes to build a greener future.
BE PART OF A GREENER FUTURE
The Growing Hope Alternative Gift is a plantable gift card that you can keep or send to a loved one. When planted it produces an array of wild-flowers, perfect for attracting pollinators to your garden.
Your generous donation enables community development projects like Climate Leaders in Iraq to thrive.
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