7-year-old Huang Yingshan calls for climate action at UN conference

In a remarkable event held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 21 to 27, 2024, the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference showcased a unique speaker. Huang Yingshan, a 7-year-old girl from Beijing, stood out as she became the youngest speaker in the conference's history. Her heartfelt speech, titled 'My Beijing Disneyland,' captivated the audience, where she shared her experiences rooted in nature and emphasized the importance of environmental protection. Yingshan's personal anecdotes about growing up in a small family farm environment served as a poignant reminder of the beauty of nature and the pressing climate issues society faces today. Through her narrative, she painted a vivid picture of her childhood, describing how playing on farms, climbing trees, and enjoying the elements of nature deepened her connection to the environment. She highlighted the detrimental effects of littering and how it could threaten her animal friends’ safety, further advocating for environmental considerations in human activities. Her speech was a passionate call to action for prioritizing climate issues, with a stark reminder that the challenges of global warming are real and pressing. Yingshan's achievements not only reflect her innate talents but are also a testament to her parents’ guidance in encouraging her English fluency and communication skills. By practicing speeches in front of a mirror to eventually addressing high-level attendees at an international conference, she exemplifies the spirit of determination and resilience. Her story resonates with the youth of China and emphasizes the significant role they can play in environmental advocacy. Ultimately, the conference was an impetus for the audience to reflect on their relationship with nature and reconsider their responsibilities towards preserving it for future generations. As highlighted by Yingshan, addressing climate change is a collective duty shared across nations and generations, making her presence at the conference a symbol of hope and urgency.