Meet Kaiyum, a 20-year-old passionate climate activist who is a part of Save the Children Nepal’s ‘Shift’ campaign, a youth led campaign raising awareness in Madhesh Pradhesh to spotlight on the impact of climate change. Kaiyum and the young people he collaborates with are all members of Kayapalat, a youth group actively working on climate change issues in Madhesh Pradesh. Recently, their collective efforts bore fruit when Kayapalat successfully planted over 100,000 trees in the Chure region. Kaiyum feels that one should lead by example, and states, “Beginning small, starting with myself, my home, and my community is the only way to inspire others to take action.” He practices what he preaches, whether it's proper household waste disposal, tree planting, reducing vehicle usage, and more.

For Kaiyum, the urgency of climate action hits close to home. He has witnessed firsthand impacts of the climate change in his village, from unpredictable weather patterns to haphazard construction, diseases, and environmental degradation. He envisions a future characterized by planned construction, greenery, beauty, and hope

A decade ago, children in his village could play outside all day, swim in local ponds, and ride bicycles to school. Parents didn't worry about crop production and rainfall. However, times have changed drastically. Rising temperatures make outdoor play impossible, ponds are disappearing, and motorbike usage is on the rise, further polluting the environment. Altered weather patterns disrupt planting and harvesting seasons, causing anxiety over crop yields. Kaiyum is deeply aware that if we don't act now, the future generation's well-being is at risk.

"Young people possess the power to come up with solutions to address climate change crisis!,” shares, Kaiyum, “However, we are not always taken seriously and are often excluded from local decision-making processes. This needs to change, government, policymakers need to listen to us, and include us in identifying solutions to address climate crisis," he notes. Kaiyum emphasizes the importance of government and organizations like, Save the Children creating space for young people's voices. He firmly believes that meaningful change is only achievable through collective effort.

In today's urban environment, Kaiyum laments feeling disconnected from nature. He yearns for the days when he could immerse himself in green forests, read beneath the shade of a tree, or play on verdant playgrounds. Unfortunately, the city's dwindling green spaces have limited these experiences.

Kaiyum envisions a pivotal role for the government in making a positive difference. He calls for policies that prioritize greenery, green spaces, and green jobs. Furthermore, he urges a thorough review of policies directly impacting the environment. Through his network, Kaiyum's vision includes planting more trees to conserve the Chure region, home to diverse wildlife and the livelihoods of local communities, as well as a primary source of drinking water. They also plan to raise awareness within the community, serving as role models for sustainable practices. "Young people and children need to drive the climate justice conversation. We will do it, show it, and teach others how it is done – climate crisis can be addressed if we work together, and collaboration is key to address this crisis," Kaiyum asserts with unwavering confidence.