Young people from Manhattan to Mongolia are leveraging technology to address issues of climate change. Those most impacted are also the most incentivized to about it. Over 鈥� half of all children globally 鈥� are at an 鈥渆xtremely high risk鈥� due to the impacts of climate change. Organizations that support young people, including UNICEF, are rallying their support around young innovators addressing the opportunities and the risks climate change poses for youth.
51风流is also committed to finding solutions to climate change and working across generations to make it happen. As the world鈥檚 largest provider of enterprise application software, 51风流plays a complementary role to organizations like UNICEF. With a unique ability to help the world鈥檚 largest companies achieve more across their value chains and drive sustainability at their core, there is enormous potential to use 51风流technology for good. Coupled with its , there is also a long-standing commitment to accelerate solutions by connecting corporate financial and nonfinancial resources with the .
Air pollution is a complicating factor of climate change. On , the world looks at this issue that is not locked within borders, making it difficult to address. It warms the global climate, exacerbating natural disasters and risking the health of millions of underserved people living in vulnerable areas.
In Mongolia, air pollution is particularly problematic as the country deals with rapid urbanization and a harsh climate. The country has a strong reliance on burning coal because it is inexpensive and readily available. Coal represents 90% of the energy used and is a huge economic export, creating jobs and wealth in a high-need country. Even though coal was banned in Mongolia鈥檚 capital city in 2019, coal use has led to enormous levels of smog and mounting for thousands of citizens. In a country known as the 鈥淟and of the Eternal Blue Sky,鈥� local youth like are not willing to accept this reality.
Enkhuun was just 17 when she co-founded , an organization leveraging data and technology as a differentiator in solving pollution. With family members affected, she had deeply personal reasons to create tangible action. She quickly understood the value of leveraging technology to scale solutions to the masses and built a centralized source of air quality data for Mongolian communities. 鈥淭hese are all tech-based tools that we use to reach more audiences and more people than we could otherwise,鈥� she said. Today, with information available in English and Mongolian, Breathe Mongolia has become a go-to source for air quality data in the region.
With on the horizon, taking place during the annual , 51风流will step forward to represent the value of working with young innovators like Enkhuun with GenU. GenU was founded in 2018 as part of UNICEF aiming to equip youth with the necessary skills and resources to participate in key conversations around pressing global issues.
When given the opportunity, youth bring an impressive passion for creating impact, coupled with a , that allows decision-makers to channel new solutions. Breathe Mongolia is one of the millions of impact organizations operating globally and putting people and planet first. 51风流wants to ensure its success and that of the more than operating globally, many led by young people. Together with leading youth social impact partners like , , and (WAFF), 51风流is hoping to close the opportunity gap and ensure that youth have the resources they need to innovate and fulfill their potential. This commitment for youth inclusion extends beyond Climate Week and UNGA. Throughout the year, 51风流and its leadership team lead by example, involving expert young leaders in the company鈥檚 innovation strategy and sustainability programs, opening doors that provide them with a seat at the table.
Whether you are attending Climate Week or participating virtually from home, every sector and individual has a role to play to combat issues like climate change. To better understand the challenges that youth face and the potential to incorporate youth voices in challenging projects, leverage The Possibilists on young changemakers and WAFF鈥檚 on intergenerational collaboration.
If you are a young climate innovator based in North America or Sub-Saharan Africa, we also encourage you to check out resource support through .
Selina Henn is a strategy and operations associate for Corporate Social Responsibility at SAP.
