In brief
In Juba, South Sudan, 17‑ year‑old students are urging national and international leaders to translate climate promises into real infrastructure, emergency systems and aid as the world heads to COP31. The activists demand climate‑resilient school buildings, upgraded warning systems and immediate relief for flood‑hit families. Their appeal underscores the need for practical projects that embed climate resilience into education and national adaptation plans.
In Juba, South Sudan, teenage climate activists are urging national and international leaders to move beyond lofty pledges and adopt concrete measures to protect vulnerable communities as the world heads to COP31.
At a event organized by Save the Children and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 17‑year‑old Siama Santino told reporters that every morning she must remove her shoes and wade through water to reach her classroom, a routine that is both exhausting and dangerous. She said,
"Every morning when you wake up, you have to think of how much you are going to move in water or first remove your shoes to reach school."Her experience illustrates the growing challenge of flooding, drought, and extreme heat that threaten education, food security, and public health across the country.
Siama’s concerns echo those of Amoko Ronny, an 18‑year‑old student and children’s council representative who highlighted how climate shocks worsen poverty. He noted that extreme heat forced local children out of classrooms for two weeks in 2024, while repeated floods destroyed crops, compounding food shortages and leaving families unable to afford basic meals.
“Children must be the top priority,” Ronny said, calling for greater investment in climate education, resilient school infrastructure and early‑warning systems to help children and communities be better prepared for disasters. He also urged the government and civil society organizations to invest in sustainable agriculture and promote clean energy, emphasizing the need for practical alternatives to reduce reliance on charcoal and curb environmental degradation.
Across Juba, the voices of youth have become more urgent as the country faces a series of climate‑related crises. In 2024, severe flooding inundated large swaths of the capital, rendering many public schools unusable and forcing families to relocate. Simultaneously, heat waves have increased the likelihood of malaria outbreaks and water‑borne diseases.
During the event, delegates demanded climate‑resilient school infrastructure that can withstand rising water levels, upgraded early‑warning systems for floods and landslides, and direct relief for families affected by disasters. They also called for a nationwide climate education curriculum that would equip students with knowledge about climate risks and adaptive strategies.
In addition to pressing local authorities, the activists appealed to international partners and donors. They urged that funding intended for climate adaptation be directed toward practical projects—such as elevating school buildings, installing flood barriers, and expanding clean‑energy access—rather than high‑level policy discussions.
South Sudan has recently expressed its intent to join the Global Climate Action Index, committing to a national adaptation plan that aligns with the Paris Agreement. However, critics argue that the country still lacks the resources and technical capacity to implement the plan effectively. The students’ plea underscores that without concrete action, vulnerable communities will continue to suffer the harshest impacts of climate change.
As the world prepares for the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, from Nov. 9 to 20, the voices from Juba remind global leaders that pledges must be turned into tangible safeguards for the next generation.
