The Archbishop of Canterbury has encouraged young climate activists attending the COP 27 conference in Egypt.
In a 4:23 minute video message posted on Twitter to climate group, Extreme Hangout, Most Rev Justin Welby explained just how crucial young people are to conversations about saving the environment.
He said: "You're the ones who have who are the future of this extraordinary planet, because you'll inherit it. So it is essential, indispensable, that you're included in the conversation on climate change, and that you take part actively. Your call for action must be listened to, by the most powerful".
World leaders, policymakers and delegates from nearly 200 countries are in Egypt at the COP27 UN climate summit.
Leaders from poor countries criticised wealthy governments and oil companies for driving global warming, using their speeches on Tuesday to demand that they pay up for damages being inflicting on their economies.
Small island states already stricken by increasingly violent ocean storms and sea-level rise called on oil companies to shell out some of their huge recent profits, while developing African states called for more international funds.
The UK's going to provide an extra £200m to support African countries to adapt to climate change.
The foreign secretary James Cleverly said the funding, which will be distributed via the African Development Bank, will help nations deal with severe drought and floods.
In his message, Welby joined many other activists who have highlighted delays in countries addressing climate change.
"The world knows how to reduce carbon, we have some solutions," he said.
"But knowledge is not the same as action. Of course, we can and must be hopeful. But that hope is vain. Unless we act. Postponing does not serve us. It's not our friend. We simply can't continue to behave and consume in the same way.
"Taking action on climate change means shifting our attitudes and changing challenging our behaviour. It will be inconvenient, but it will also become the new normal. We've got to be mindful of consumption, figure out how we live better. We need to inspire each other not hate and deride each other.
"But right now the world seems shaky. It is shaky. There's war, there's a cost of living crisis, and all that tempts people to ignore the long term climate emergency. Failure to act now, though, will make that emergency far greater than the problems we face today".
It's absolutely essential the world listens to young people's voices as we seek to tackle the climate crisis together.
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 8, 2022
Great to send a message to @ExtremeHangout during #COP27: pic.twitter.com/lEp0u2YNsF
The archbishop then motivated young people to continue the work they're doing with addressing climate change, highlighting that their future depends on it.
"So seize the moment, lead by supporting and challenging, challenge each other to guide one another," he said.
"But do it with kindness and with an eye on what the future could look like for you and for the generations to come. Make sure that the generations after you look back and celebrate because in this time, inspired by you, we did something for the future.
"What are the tools we can use? Values kindness, courage, determination, consideration compassion, generosity, actions, our behaviour, our performance. Our good intentions, leave no marks in history. Our actions, leave our legacy across the sands of history."
Last Saturday, ahead of COP 27, Archbishop Justin also called for climate justice in a statement.
