To join the hopeful solution that should come out of the Paris Conference, Katy Perry joins the ranks of celebrities fighting against climate change, along with speakers such as Sean Penn or Robert Redford. The global popstar participated in an unique weather forecast, a video to send a message on the impact of climate change.
Perry was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2013, specializing in matters affecting the world’s children, and encouraging young people to improve the quality of their lives. The video aired on Sunday at the same time when leaders around the world gathered to discuss the issue of global warming in Paris.
The popstar presented the devastating effects of climate change, which includes extreme weather that endangers the lives of millions. Particularly children are the most affected and bear “the most unfair burden by climate change”, according to Perry. They are open to issues such as disease, malnutrition, as well as having droughts or floods destroying their homes. The extreme conditions were highlighted in numerous countries around the world, with emphasis on the devastation that befalls on the world’s youth.
Perry drew attention to the drought in California, extreme weather in the Philippines and Bangladesh, along with the spread of disease in East Africa. For underdeveloped countries, global warming brings to the population of disease-spreading mosquitoes and malaria. In East Africa, the infection is already killing 800 children each day.
According to a report released by UNICEF last month, there are 530 million children who live in areas at risk for flooding. Around 300 million of them from the half a billion live with a little over $3 per day. Furthermore, 160 million children also live in drought-sensitive areas, and 50 million of them live in countries where over 50% of the population lives in poverty.
Both situations toss the population into a vicious circle. The devastation causes poverty, which forces them to move as they have no money to rebuild. And that, in turn, leads to more of their resources spent on food or shelter. With no proper sanitation or even clean water, they are vulnerable to disease.
UNICEF pointed out that climate change encourages heatwaves, droughts, floods, or other extreme weather conditions. They can cause death and devastation, especially for the people in developing countries. The severe weather patterns bring forward destruction, and encourage the major killers of children such as malnutrition, malaria, and diarrhea.
Perrty called out to the viewers to share how they are doing their part to fight against climate change through the #FightUNfair project. She stated that “together we can help change the forecast for millions of children” by encouraging world leaders to address the matter seriously. For now, weather forecast prediction: it will get worse.
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