South Sudanese Christian youth launch Climate YES movement to confront climate crisis

(JUBA)-South Sudanese Christian youth on Saturday launched the Climate Youth Ecumenical Summit (YES), a national faith-based movement aimed at mobilizing young people to respond to the growing impacts of climate change across the country.

The movement, known as Climate YES, is part of an international Christian youth advocacy network that emerged from the United Nations Climate Change Conferences. It seeks to strengthen climate justice advocacy, environmental stewardship and community-led resilience in vulnerable countries.

In South Sudan, the group will unite young people across states and counties to push for stronger environmental policies, raise awareness and promote practical action against climate-related challenges such as flooding, drought, heat waves and displacement.

Kenyi Emmanuel, national chairperson of Climate YES South Sudan, described the movement as a long-term platform to amplify youth voices in environmental decision-making.

He said the country is already experiencing severe climate shocks, including rising temperatures, widespread deforestation and recurrent flooding that continues to displace communities.

“We have seen a lot of climate shocks in our country…and the major target of this movement is advocacy and movement building,” Kenyi said.

“So, movement building is targeting young people, not only in Juba, but every part of South Sudan, so that we’ll be able to come together.”

Kenyi raised concerns over unchecked deforestation and charcoal production, citing cross-border trade routes where timber and charcoal are transported in large quantities to neighboring countries.

He argued that weak environmental enforcement has contributed to widespread tree cutting, warning that continued forest loss will worsen heat waves and flooding.

“If we continue destroying forests, the future of our children will be at stake,” he said, adding that policymakers must urgently introduce and enforce environmental protection laws.

He also highlighted growing public health risks linked to rising temperatures and poor waste management, noting that many communities lack basic garbage disposal systems.

Kenyi pointed to plastic pollution as a major threat, warning that decomposing plastics are breaking down into microplastics and entering the food chain.

“People are getting sick every time because waste is everywhere,” he said, noting that poor waste management is visible in Juba and other cities like Wau and Malakal.

The chairperson called for stronger environmental education among children and young people to promote sustainable consumption.

Paul Yokoju, national coordinator of Climate YES, said the launch marks the beginning of a nationwide mobilization effort to recruit young people from schools and communities.

The movement has already engaged primary and secondary school students and is focused on climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Yokoju said the group will promote awareness campaigns, youth empowerment initiatives and climate-friendly livelihoods, including waste recycling and tree nurseries.

He encouraged approaches such as sustainable energy use and tree planting as potential income-generating activities.

“Our mission is to educate, empower and advocate so that communities can better respond to climate change,” he said.

Adding a faith perspective, the Rev. Francis Philip Ladu urged young people to use faith, creativity and technology to protect the environment. Calling environmental protection a divine mandate, he referenced the biblical call in Genesis for humanity to be stewards of creation.

Ladu encouraged youths to mobilize communities for tree planting campaigns, stressing that climate action should be rooted in moral and spiritual responsibility.

Climate YES has registered about 100 members in South Sudan. While currently based in Juba, leaders of the movement aim to scale the initiative into a nationwide platform capable of influencing policy, driving community action and supporting climate resilience efforts.