Transcript
Millions of people marched across the world last week demanding governments do more to rein in higher temperatures and help those who are suffering from worsening extreme weather and rising seas.
Solomon Yeo from the Solomon Islands was among those who rallied in New York.
He says he and other youths are working to fill the gaps in international law.
"We want to take human rights in climate change to the International Court of Justice. And we hope our leaders support us. We want to educate other youths to fight for their rights. We want to empower them. The United Nations are not doing anything about it. I'm sick of the hypocrisy. We will not stand by and let them do this."
The law student says they are drawing links between a warming climate and how it threatens human rights.
Timoci Naulusala, of Fiji, delivered a speech about the devastating impacts of climate change in his homeland and the Pacific.
The young advocate co-chaired the Inter Generational Town Hall sessions alongside the UN's Deputy Secretary-General Amina Jane Mohammed, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine and other world leaders.
"For those of us who live in island nations, we are already seeing, and feeling and living the consequences of global warming. But I'm not alone. Climate change affects us all. We need everyone to understand that we must work as a team before it's too late. So speak up."
The 14-year-old warned young people would start to hold leaders accountable at the ballot box if they did not step up efforts swiftly to address climate threats.
Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls says Pacific governments need to be transformative.
"And not say okay we've heard them and then just go on and do what you want to do. But to say, okay why aren't young people able to participate in village or local government committees? And change that. Make it happen where young people can attend, when rural women, when coastal women, when women with disabilities can attend."
Pita Taufatofua, an Olympic athlete from Tonga who lives in Australia, broke down in tears describing how his Pacific island homeland had seen half of its buildings destroyed by a powerful cyclone while he competed in skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
