As world leaders gather for COP28 in the UAE, a glaring irony emerges: Africa, responsible for just 4% of global emissions, bears the brunt of climate chaos. The continent’s youth are paying the price—struggling for clean water, fleeing extreme weather, and facing a future where survival is anything but guaranteed.
🚰 Thirsty for Justice
Imagine waking up unsure if you’ll find clean water. For 1 in 3 African youth, this is reality. In Congo Brazzaville, 70% of 18–24-year-olds fight daily for safe water, while neighboring DRC—a treasure trove of green-energy minerals—sees 50% of its youth in the same struggle.
🌪️ Climate’s Cruel Math
Africa’s vulnerability isn’t hypothetical. The Lancet reports 1.1 million African lives lost to pollution yearly, while WHO data reveals 1.2 million people displaced by floods and droughts. Meanwhile, the Global North’s green revolution relies on minerals mined from these very communities.
💔 A Continent on Edge
COP28 isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s about saving a generation. With 900 million African youth lacking basic hygiene access, leaders must address a chilling truth: climate inaction today means no tomorrow for millions. As one Nigerian put it: ‘We’re too big to fail, but who’s counting?’
