By Anders Lorenzen

More than 150 high-profile parents from across the arts, entertainment, sport, science, civil society, and business world have signed a letter initiated by Our Kids’ Climate that is urging world leaders to end our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels for the sake of the children of today and tomorrow.  

High-profile signatories

It has been signed by high-profile names such as Angelique Kidjo, Christiana Figueres, Don Cheadle, Dame Emma Thompson, Gary Lineker, Princess Esmeralda of Belgium, Julianne Moore, Khaled Hosseini, Robert Redford, Tasneem Essop, Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and by the former CEO of Unilever and sustainability advocate Paul Polman. Additionally, it is also supported by the organisations: Groundswell (Global Optimism), Save the Children International, Potential Energy, C40 Cities, Climate Crisis Advisory Group, WE ARE FAMILY FOUNDATION,  and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.

Accompanying the letter is the below powerful video:

Our Kids’ Climate is a global network bringing together parents and grandparents from over 55 countries to take action on climate.

The letter has been orchestrated ahead of the UN-organised Summit of the Future. With the letter, Our Kids’ Climate, urges high-income countries and historical emitters to take the lead in driving a just and equitable transition, calling on these nations to provide critical support to low-income countries, ensuring that children’s rights and needs are prioritised at every step. 

It states: “The burning of fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, harming children now and stealing their futures. It is crucial that the Summit makes an unambiguous commitment to a just and fair transition away from fossil fuels.” 

It invites parents and grandparents across the world to join forces with eminent parents by signing the open letter themselves. 

The letter concludes: “We, the parents, simply wish for a decent future for our children, and all children. You have the power to protect what we love. For the children of today and tomorrow, we are counting on you.”

The letter can be signed here.