In a remarkable effort to combat air pollution and climate change, Saathi, a 12-foot-tall bear, has become a symbol of hope for children and young people in Nepal. Launched on Earth Day, Saathi has embarked on a journey through Nepal to raise awareness about the devastating impact of air pollution on the lives of young people.

Working with Save the Children in Nepal and as the official mascot for the Generation Hope campaign, Saathi has been at the forefront of climate action. Air quality in Nepal is a concern, and statistics show that life expectancy is dropping significantly due to air pollution.

Saathi’s efforts go beyond awareness campaigns; Save the Children “Nepal’s Generation Hope” campaign actively works with child and youth climate activists to empower them to initiate dialogues with policymakers and effect meaningful change.

Read the interview below to learn how Saathi is calling on world leaders to listen to children’s voices and ensure their meaningful participation in climate discussions to secure a better, greener and more sustainable future for all:

How have you helped raise awareness among children and young people about the problems of air pollution and climate change?

Saathi, in Nepali, means a friend or a buddy. I am a 12-foot-tall bear with pristine white fur and a very friendly personality. I was introduced to children and young people in Nepal on Earth Day, and ever since, I have been traveling around Nepal to raise awareness about the dire impact of air pollution on the lives of children and young people. It was when I became a part of the ‘Generation Hope’ campaign that I came to realize the enormity of the air pollution issue here in Nepal. Thousands of children and communities suffer from respiratory diseases due to this issue. Most of the children I interacted with complained about how air pollution makes it hard for them to breathe, causes their eyes to become teary and dry, and how they are concerned not only for themselves but also for their parents and aging grandparents. So, in collaboration with Save the Children in Nepal and as the official mascot for the ‘Generation Hope’ campaign, along with children and young climate campaigners, I have been raising awareness about the hazards of air pollution and calling for more urgent, climate-informed measures to curb its impact.

Furthermore, according to the latest update of the Air Quality Life Index from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, air pollution is the most significant threat to human health in Nepal, reducing life expectancy by an average of 4.6 years. Nepal is ranked as the third most polluted country globally after Bangladesh and India. Air pollution is also linked to respiratory diseases, heart problems, and even cognitive impairment in children.

You have embarked on an inspiring journey to different regions of the country. How have children and youth worked with you to initiate meaningful dialogues with policymakers about climate justice?

Whenever I travel around the country, I collaborate with child and youth climate change activists to facilitate dialogues and discussions on air pollution and its impact with policymakers, influential stakeholders, and communities. I remember traveling to Surkhet, where I, along with child and youth climate justice champions, toured the community to raise awareness about air pollution. We also visited the mayor’s office, demanding urgent actions to curb air pollution. It was heartwarming to witness children and youth taking the lead and holding local governments and communities accountable for our future.

Your darkening is a powerful symbol of the impact of air pollution. Could you elaborate on the meaning of this symbol and how it resonates with both young activists and the general public?

Certainly! When Save the Children approached me for the campaign, I wondered why they chose me. However, they explained that my white fur would serve as a canvas for the Generation Hope campaign, making people realize the gravity of air pollution and its impact on our lives. As I travel around the country, my once-pristine white fur gradually darkens, symbolizing the worsening condition of the air we breathe. It also represents our children’s future. Imagine my white fur turning dark and brown; this is the present and the future that our children will have to live in. We need urgent action, accountability from governments, people, and stakeholders to combat air pollution and ensure that the future of our children is not as bleak as the air pollution.

It is impressive that you have been involved in climate awareness events in schools and participated in events such as the Kora Cycling Challenge 2023. How have these activities helped engage and mobilize children and youth to fight climate change? Are there any memorable moments from these interactions you want to share with us?

These strategic events help bring visibility to our campaign and highlight the leadership of children and young people. I particularly enjoyed attending the Kora Cycling Challenge, as cycling offers a perfect alternative to reduce air pollution while promoting healthy living. I was overwhelmed and impressed by the concern shown by children, youth, and adults for the future of Nepal’s children. Hearing from them that they are committed to adopting green and healthy practices made me smile. This level of accountability is what children deserve, and we need to be a part of the solution to combat air pollution.

How do you envision the impact of this campaign in shaping a greener and more sustainable future and contributing to global efforts to achieve the SDGs?

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to New York this week, to help raise awareness of this campaign to world leaders attending the SDG Summit as part of the 2023 UN General Assembly. The Generation Hope campaign, with Saathi — the Air Bear as its mascot, aligns clearly with the global goals, urging world leaders to take urgent actions to secure a future that children deserve. It serves as a compelling example of the importance of children and youth leadership in the climate change discussion and the importance of accelerating progress on the SDGs. I would encourage world leaders to make climate-informed decisions, taking into account the lived experiences of children, especially those from hard-to-reach regions. To effectively address the challenges of climate change, world leaders must listen to children and ensure their meaningful participation in climate change discussions.