INTRO

Did you know that you have rights as a child/ young person?
Watch this motion graphic to learn about your rights

You have rights

Play the video

The CRC is a list of your rights

These articles are in one way or another connected to a healthy environment. There are no rights without a healthy environment.

Designs © UNICEF, 2019. Check the full document here

Explore more on this topic:

A video on human rights

level 1

In this level…

A

Learn what “environment” means and how everything is connected
B

Explore your right to live in a healthy environment and learn about how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) protects these rights
C

Meet David Boyd, one of the leading experts on Children’s Rights and the Environment - in a video interview
D

Key takeaways from level 1

Your right to a healthy environment

A

Learn what “environment” means and how everything is connected

Everything is connected

Play the video

B

Explore your right to live in a healthy environment and learn about how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) protects these rights

What is a healthy environment?

A healthy environment exists when

The climate is safe for all living beings

Everyone has clean air, clean water and healthy food

Everyone has access to healthy ecosystems and biodiversity

Young people and children grow up in unpolluted and non-toxic places

Governments and industries protect and promote the health of the environment

You have a right to a healthy environment!

The right to a healthy environment is a human right, and a right of all young people and children

Some of your rights are connected to a healthy environment

ARTICLE

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You have the right to the best life possible and governments must make sure that children and young people develop in the best possible way.
ARTICLE

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You have the right to the best health care possible, clean water and nutritious food and a safe and healthy environment to live in.
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You have the right to clothing, a safe home and other means to live, so that you can reach your full potential and develop in the best possible way. The government should help everyone to do this, and help families without money.
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You have the right to rest, relax, play and take part in cultural activities. This means that you should be able to enjoy the environment around you.
ARTICLE

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You have the right to an education that can teach you, among other things, about the environment, to understand your rights and to respect the rights of other people.
ARTICLE

13

You have the right to express your thoughts and opinions freely, unless it harms other people, and to be informed, including about the health of the planet and of the environment around you.
ARTICLE

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You have the right to join or start groups or associations, and meet with others. Many young people and children around the world are campaigning together for the environment.

C

Meet David Boyd, one of the leading experts on Children’s Rights and the Environment - in a video interview

David Boyd

one of the leading experts on Children’s Rights and the Environment

D

Key takeaways from level 1

Key takeaways from LEVEL 1

The environment includes your home and your community, the natural world and the world that will be our future

Everything is connected: an action somewhere can have an impact in many other places

You have the right to a healthy environment and should grow up in an unpolluted and non-toxic space

The CRC is there to protect your rights and your right to a healthy environment. The right to a healthy environment is fundamental to make sure that all other rights are respected

Explore more on this topic:

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

On children’s rights and the environment

level 2

In this level…

A

Look at what is happening to our planet and at the injustice this creates
B

Explore how environmental destruction, including climate change, impact young people’s and children’s rights
C

Meet Kelsey Archer Barnhill, a deep-sea scientist, who talks about the rights to a healthy ocean – in a video interview
D

Key takeaways from level 2

Environmental issues that put you and your rights at risk

A

Look at what is happening to our planet and at the injustice this creates

What is happening to our planet
and what is environmental injustice?

Play the video

B

Explore how environmental destruction, including climate change, impact young people’s and children’s rights

How does environmental destruction, including climate change, impact young people’s rights?

These stories show how environmental issues impact young people and children in many different ways, including but not only their health

Malala

used to live in Tuvalu, an island in the Pacific Ocean.
She and her family had to leave as her house was submerged by water because of the rising water levels in the ocean.
She misses her home and her friends very much.

Caio

lives in London and breathes a lot of polluted air because he lives near lots of traffic.
He is developing respiratory problems and often misses school to go for health check-ups.
He would like to be an astronomer when he grows up, but he can’t see the stars because of pollution.

Krutika

and her friends play football in a field close to a landfill.
There are no other spaces in their community where they can play football.
Now the waste smells very bad and is close to where they play.
They dream of getting a clean and safe football field.

Miro

and his family can no longer go to the river where they used to wash their clothes.
This is because the river is very polluted. Industries at the top of the valley are responsible for the pollution of the river.
The industries continue their activities, but Miro and all people in his community can’t spend time in their environment where they live, that was considered sacred by their ancestors.

Colel

has cerebral palsy and she is particularly sensitive to heat and cold.
Her body cannot regulate its temperature.
She loves playing in the park, but heat weaves have become unpredictable where she lives and she can no longer go there.
Spending time in nature is very important for young people as they grow up – green spaces should be protected also because children need places to relax, play and enjoy the natural world.

Growing up in a healthy environment

means having clean air to breathe and water to drink and use. It means having healthy food to eat and safe spaces to live, play and grow up.

Do you remember the CRC? This document lists your rights, which include the right to health, survival and development, food, clean water, housing, education, to play, but many other rights too. For all these rights to exist and be real for you, you need to grow up in a healthy environment. All young people and children are entitled to all the rights in the CRC.

Everytime you will find a blue bar like the one below, some of your rights listed in the CRC will be displayed

YOUR RIGHT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION

ARTICLE

2

You have all the rights listed in the Convention, no matter who you are, where you live and come from, what language you speak, what you think, what you look like, which gender you identify with, if you have a disability, if you are rich or poor. In just a few words, no young person and child should be treated unfairly for any reason.

Environmental injustice, which means that some people are affected more negatively by environmental destruction and climate change, is a big threat to the rights of children and young people

C

Meet Kelsey Archer Barnhill, a deep-sea scientist, who talks about the rights to a healthy ocean – in a video interview

Kelsey Archer Barnhill

a deep-sea scientist, who talks about the right to a healthy ocean

D

Key takeaways from level 2

Key takeaways from LEVEL 2

Environmental destruction and climate change are serious threats to the health of the planet

Environmental injustice means that some people experience the consequences of climate change and the pollution of the environment more negatively

Young people and children are at higher risk of developing diseases and negative consequences because they are still growing up

A polluted environment and environmental injustice are a threat to the rights of young people and children

Explore more on this topic:

A video on ocean and human rights

Effects of climate change on the environment

Impact of climate change on children

If you feel eco-anxious, it is okay to be worried.
There are people who can help you.

Eco-anxiety is worrying about the impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity and, in general, the fear for the future of the planet

What is eco-anxiety?

Eco-anxiety is worrying about the impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity and, in general, the fear for the future of the planet.

This anxiety can have a negative impact on our mental health, especially young people.

Is there something I can do?

Yes, you can talk to people who share your interest in the environment and share your concerns and feelings. Activist groups can be helpful.

Listening to a lot of bad news can cause stress and fear so taking a break from news or social media is good for your mental health.

Talk to adults you trust – they might give you advice about how to manage the negative emotions you feel. If you are feeling very sad, stressed or angry by climate change, you might find it helpful to get some professional help.

level 3

In this level…

A

Look at who is responsible for environmental destruction
B

Learn about what governments, industries and others, must do to protect the environment and your rights
C

Meet Josefa Tauli, an environmental activist from the Philippines - in a video interview
D

Key takeaways from level 3

We are not all responsible in the same way

A

Look at who is responsible for environmental destruction

who is responsible for
environmental destruction and climate change

Play the video

B

Learn about what governments, industries and others, must do to protect the environment and your rights

Environmental destruction and climate change is a violation of your rights

It affects your health, how you live and your future

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

It is very important that you are informed and aware about what is happening to our planet and who is responsible. There are two articles of the CRC dedicated to this:

ARTICLE

13

You have the right to express your thoughts and opinions freely, unless it harms other people, and to be informed, including about the health of the planet and of the environment around you.
ARTICLE

29

You have the right to an education that can teach you, among other things, about the environment, to understand your rights and to respect the rights of other people.

Communities and governments must listen and learn from you and involve you in environmental projects and decisions.

Governments must:

Regulate and punish industries and individuals who are harming the environment
Make sure that you receive environmental education and information about the environment and listen to what you have to say
Invest money to make sure your right to a healthy environment is fulfilled

Industries must:

Monitor how their activities impact children and the environment
Stop activities that harm children and the environment
Be part of the solution by promoting green operations and products

The United Nations must:

Make sure children’s rights are respected, including the right to a healthy environment
Include young activists in dialogues on environmental protection

There’s a body within the United Nations system dedicated to the environment: it is called United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP also supports children to participate in activities and learn about the environment.

Scientists and researchers should:

Do research and educate everyone about the risks to the environment, and their impacts on children

Society should:

Speak up against the damaging activities of industry
Support the causes of and collaborate with youth activists, to protect their rights

Schools and local organizations should:

Use education to increase your knowledge about the environment and your rights
Help you understand what is happening to our planet

What about your role?

You can be part of the debate and share your ideas. Some children and young people are proposing solutions: banning cars with outdated systems (diesel, etc.), limiting the number of cars, introducing free city bikes, ordinary and electric ones, applying the concept of roof afforestation and roof gardens, green corridors between traffic lanes.

You can also take actions to help protect the environment. You are part of this planet and your participation matters. When many people come together, they can make a difference.

Some good news

Here are some positive examples of how governments have acted to protect our ocean, lands and rivers, all the plants, animals, people and every living thing:

New ZeAland

In 2017 New Zealand gave Mount Taranaki the same legal rights as a person.
For indigenous people in New Zealand, the mountain is like an ancestor or a family member.

And now, if someone damages it in any way, they can be legally prosecuted.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is also known as “the land of the rivers” and in 2019 it became the first country of the world to grant all of its rivers the same legal status as humans.

This means that if a person is accused of harming the rivers, they can be taken to court.

Ecuador

In January 2022 Ecuador with its close neighbours Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama made a safe marine route for turtles and other ocean creatures, threatened by climate change and industrial fishing, to migrate safely and be protected.

They decided this at the 2021 annual climate summit organized by the United Nations.

C

Meet Josefa Tauli, an environmental activist from the Philippines - in a video interview

Josefa TaulI

an environmental activist from the Philippines

D

Key takeaways from level 3

Key takeaways from LEVEL 3

We are not all equally responsible for environmental destruction

Industrial activities and governments not taking action are mainly responsible for environmental destruction, including climate change

Governments, industry, the United Nations, scientists, school and society can prevent a climate emergency and can stop environmental destruction

Young people and children can be part of the solution. They must be listened to and supported by adults

Explore more on this topic:

The Paris Agreement

A video with Greta Thunberg’s message

The website of UNEP

level 4

In this level…

A

Look at how young people and children are fighting for environmental justice and for their rights
B

Get inspired and learn about how you can participate
C

Develop your plan of action/involvement and meet 2 young environmental activists
D

Key takeaways from level 4

Your participation matters

A

Look at how young people and children are fighting for environmental justice and for their rights

Young people and children are fighting for environmental justice and for their right

Play the video

B

Get inspired and learn about how you can participate

Get inspired about what you can do to participate

YOUR RIGHTS TO PARTICIPATE

Wherever you live, environmental destruction and climate change can affect your life in different ways. Like many other children and young people around the world, you can participate, from making small changes in your life to campaigning and becoming an activist and a defender of the environment.

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You have the right to be heard on issues that affect you. This means that you also have the right to be heard in court in front of a judge.
ARTICLE

13

You have the right to express your thoughts and opinions freely, unless it harms other people, and to be informed, including about the health of the planet and of the environment around you.
ARTICLE

15

You have the right to join or start groups or associations, and meet with others. Many young people and children around the world are meeting and campaigning together for the environment.

Your friends as well as adults, including researchers, educators, organizations and the UN can support you and help you find projects and information to fight for the protection of the environment and your rights. You have a right to express your views and participate, and you can do your part to protect the planet

YOUR RIGHTS TO JUSTICE

If you are already experiencing the consequences of environmental destruction and climate change, you can, with the support of adults around you, bring your case to court. Human rights courts give meaning to your rights and the opportunity to get justice.
‍

ARTICLE

12

You have the right to be heard on issues that affect you. This means that you also have the right to be heard in court in front of a judge.
ARTICLE

19

You have the right to be protected from anything harmful that happens to you.
ARTICLE

39

You have the right to get help if you have been hurt, neglected, treated badly.

C

Develop your plan of action/involvement and meet 2 young environmental activists

Develop your plan of action/involvement

Here are some tips on what you can do

Learn about environmental issues and spread the word

How?

Read and study about what is happening to the environment.
Ask your school teachers to start teaching environmental and climate change awareness and promote them in your community! You can invite them to use this course.
Share your knowledge with your friends and to whoever you think should know about the right to live in a healthy environment.

Share your thoughts, ideas and experiences on social media

How?

If you are old enough to have a social media account, you can create awareness about the environment and your rights with some posts, videos, songs, photos, and anything creative!
Share this course with your friends or talk about environmental issues on social media – use hashtag #ourrightsourplanet and tag @articolo12_ @unep @tdh_ch

Commit to small actions

How?

There are some small but concrete and helpful steps you could take to help the planet.
For example, you could:

Use reusable water bottles
Sort the garbage and recycle everything you can
Turn off lights, TVs, computers, when you do not use them
If possible, walk or ride your bike instead of taking a car
Plant or buy bee-friendly flowers
Pick up plastic and other waste from public places

Join a group

How?

You could join youth organisations or groups and support them in different ways.
Fridays for Future, Earth Uprising, Assembly are examples of youth organisations that fight against climate change and for a healthy environment.
Youth climate strikes are a good example of how young people raise their voice on environmental issues and participate in political processes.

Get involved: Join a campaign or start one of your own

How?

You could sign existing petitions and campaigns on a cause that you believe in.
You can, together with your friends and with the support of adults you trust, create your own campaign or event for the cause you would like to fight for, to protect the environment.
Consult this guide which gives you detailed tips on how to organize yourself and participate, and on how to always stay safe.

Ask for stronger environmental commitment from those who make decisions

How?

Through groups and associations, such as Child Rights Connect, you can make your voices heard and reach out to your government to ask for stronger actions to stop the climate crisis and environmental destruction.
For support, you can also contact national organizations that promote the rights of children, or ombudspersons for children’s rights in your community or country.
With them you can also present an official legal complaint to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Madhvi Chittoor

a climate justice activist from the United States

Aniva Clarke

an environmental activist from Samoa

D

Key takeaways from level 4

Key takeaways from LEVEL 4

There are young activists all over the world fighting for a right to a healthy environment and are taking actions. They are also known as child environmental human rights defenders

Governments, the UN and other organizations need to create the opportunity for children and young people to participate in making decisions about the environment and climate change

Adults need to listen to and support any child and young person who wants to contribute

There are many ways you can take action - your participation matters!

Explore more on this topic:

A training on child environmental rights defenders

On #ChildrenVsClimateCrisis petition

On the #MyPlanetMyRights youth-led campaign

On youth organizations:

Play your right cards

It's your turn now! Help Malala, Krutika, Caio, Colel, Miro and their friends find solutions to environmental injustices.
Play your best cards and help them to use their rights to protect the planet!

let’s play!

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Menu

Glossary

INTRO

You have rights

The CRC is a list of your rights

Explore more on this topic:

level 1

In this level…

A

B

C

D

Your right to a healthy environment

A

Everything is connected

B

What is a healthy environment?

A healthy environment exists when

You have a right to a healthy environment!

Some of your rights are connected to a healthy environment

6

24

27

31

29

13

15

Your rights as young people and children, especially Your right to grow up in a healthy environment must be fulfilled and protected

C

meet the expert

David Boyd

D

Key takeaways from LEVEL 1

Explore more on this topic:

level 2

In this level…

A

B

C

D

Environmental issues that put you and your rights at risk

A

What is happening to our planet and what is environmental injustice?

B

How does environmental destruction, including climate change, impact young people’s rights?

Malala

Caio

Krutika

Miro

Colel

Growing up in a healthy environment

YOUR RIGHT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION

2

Governments are responsible to ensure equality by protecting the environment and the rights of people who are affected the most

C

meet the expert

Kelsey Archer Barnhill

D

Key takeaways from LEVEL 2

Explore more on this topic:

level 3

In this level…

A

B

C

D

We are not all responsible in the same way

A

who is responsible for environmental destruction and climate change

B

Environmental destruction and climate change is a violation of your rights

YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW

13

29

Governments, industry, the United Nations, scientists, school and society can help prevent a climate emergency and stop environmental destruction. But how?

Governments must:

What is happening to our planet
and what is environmental injustice?

who is responsible for
environmental destruction and climate change