The viceconsejera of Citizen Rights, Beatriz González, highlighted the need to promote transformative public policies to curb global warming, a problem that «is not something of the future, but rather of the present.»
The Principality’s Government has reported through a press release that González made these statements during the inauguration of the conference «Youth facing the climate emergency,» held at the Atlantic Botanical Garden in Gijón.
During this event, she pointed out that its consequences are already being felt worldwide, with effects that «devastate and destroy, causing enormous suffering for millions of people around the world,» as seen with the Valencia storm or the massive fires in the United States and Australia.
González advocated for the active involvement of «all of society, starting with the youth, but also with institutions committed to seeking alternatives.» As an example, she mentioned the Atlantic Botanical Garden itself, a natural space that was made possible more than two decades ago thanks to a determined political commitment to environmental protection.
On the other hand, the Director-General of Agenda 2030, Juan Ponte, warned about the «excessive» growth of global carbon emissions «despite all scientific warnings.»
In this regard, he referred to the report from the International Energy Institute on this emergency and emphasized that the consequences of the current production and consumption model «affect a social minority that disregards the social and environmental costs.»
According to him, this system will bring about the devastation of terrestrial ecosystems, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, depletion of material and energy resources, and the forced displacement of various populations.
Against those who promote inaction or deny the significance of the problem, Ponte emphasized the need to move towards economically responsible and ecologically sustainable models.
For this purpose, «youth must play a prominent role in raising awareness for eco-social planning,» he stated. «We can reverse the situation, but to do so, we must combat the fossilist radicalism of large corporations that seem indifferent to the future of our youth and our planet,» he added.
The conference on the climate emergency will continue throughout the day with a program that combines talks by young environmental specialists with workshops focused on sustainability and green economy.
FUENTE
