It was history in the making. The only child of A K Srivastava and Roshani Srivastava, Yugratna Srivatsava is the first girl from India and second in the world after Severine Suzuki in 1992, to address a gathering of over 100 world leaders, including US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. She recently addressed the UN conference on Climate Change in New York.

Yugratna Srivastava is a member of Tarumitra (Friends of Trees), an NGO devoted to stopping felling of trees and forests, among other activities. Yugratna, a, IX student of St Fidelis College, Lucknow represented Tarumitra in the Tunza youth conference in Norway organized by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in 2008 and became a member of the Junior Board.

Tunza is the UNEP magazine for youth. Lokvani received email responses from her during her recent visit here:

At what age did you start being aware that environment mattered? What were the influences in your life that started this awareness?

It was in 2006 when I was 10 years young, I came to know about climate change and global warming through my studies and media reports, I became aware about the climate crisis. I watched several movies related to environment as well as came to know about the Montreal and the Kyoto protocols. I also did scientific study about this matter. All these things influenced me to do something good to resolve this environment crisis.

  How did you prepare for your speech? What has been the reaction to the speech you made to the United Nations?

First of all I prepared a draft of my speech and then it was circulated to Tunza Junior Board and Tunza Youth Advisory Council for their inputs. Then after receiving inputs, final draft was prepared by support of UNEP officials. I express my deep sense of gratitude to all the UNEP officials, JB and TYAC for their kind support.

After my speech, I received tons of positive feedbacks on Google, Twitter, Facebook and New channel Blogs. They congratulated me for the speech.

What can a country like India do to combat climate change? As a teenager what are some of the changes that the youth can adopt in the country.

In India majority of population is youth and children. I from NGO “Tarumitra” (with branches over 1600 high schools) have announced to join Plant-for-the-Planet aiming to plant 1 million trees in India and I am continuously receiving tremendous phone calls and invitation  support throughout the country.

As far as my knowledge permits through media reports I came to know that Environment Minister of India, Honorable Mr. Jai Ram Ramesh said “INDIA IS A DEAL MAKER AND NOT A DEAL BREAKER”

As for teenagers, I encourage them all to make small action groups to discuss these issues as well as they should take actions and try their best to generate awareness in the society. Then gradually they all should expand the networks and work on Global level as well.

They all must realize that “This age group is just like flowing rivers and they make their own way in the directions in which they march”.

What are some of your plans in the future to promote this cause in India and elsewhere?

As the member of UNEP TUNZA Junior Board representing Asia and the Pacific, I am actively involved in promoting SEAL THE DEAL http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/ by joining several rallies and gatherings. I also gave numerous media interviews in leading news channels of India emphasizing on SEAL THE DEAL! .  I will continue this in coming time as well. As mentioned earlier, I will be planting 1 million trees in India. Also I will carry my activities with my NGO Tarumitra also.

What other activity or events did you have in your visit to New York? Share with us some of your experiences.

On 20 September, 2009, I went to Washington Square Park for an event of UNEP. Honorable Executive Director of UNEP Mr.Achim Steiner announced Gisele Bundchen as the goodwill ambassador of UNEP .

On 21 September, 2009 I joined an International Press Conference at UN Millenium Hotel. It was attended by Honorable Executive Director of UNEP Mr.Achim Steiner, H.E. Prince Albert II, Prince of Monaco, Environment Minister of China, Noble laureate Ms.Wangari Maathai.

On 22 Sept. my speech was there and I met our Secretary General, Head of state of Japan, Sweden, Denmark, Costa Rica, Gambia and Nepal. I also interacted with Environment Minister of India.

For more information go to www.unep.org

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