Sharm El-Sheikh – Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt, confirmed the important role of art and media in raising awareness about climate issues.
His remarks came during his participation in a session about the role of art in addressing climate change on the first day of COP27, with the participation of Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Randa Fouad, World Art Forum President.
Mohieldin said that 49% of Earth habitants don’t see that climate change represents a crisis that needs an instant cure, adding that art easily reaches all people and helps raise their awareness which is the important role of the art regarding climate change.
He added that the majority of developing countries people don’t care about climate issues despite being the most affected, this demonstrates the vital role of art in raising climate change awareness.
Mohieldin said that addressing climate change requires three elements which are sufficient finance, scientific and technological solutions, and thoughts and behaviours changing, adding that art and media are the most capable of changing thoughts and behaviours.
Mohieldin cited the quote of the British thinker John Austin in which he said that nations write their biographies in 3 books which are the book of deeds, book of words, and book of art, saying that any discipline in any field towards climate action and development is important.
The climate champion said that the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects witnessed the submission of more than 6200 projects including some projects that are artistic, digitalized and eco-friendly.
Mohieldin added that he asked to translate a drawing book for children about environment and climate from Spanish to Arabic to raise awareness of Arab children about the climate crisis.
More than 50,000 attendees are registered and expected to participate at COP27’s Blue Zone and thousands of others at the Green Zone. The Egyptian Presidency has designated several key thematic days that will include pledging opportunities, discussions, roundtables, and side events. The thematic days are part of efforts to advance climate action that can address existing implementation bottlenecks and gaps and deepen engagement with youth, women, civil society and indigenous people.
The Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit will start on Monday and runs for two days, bringing all participating heads of state and government. Following the summit’s inauguration, several roundtables led and attended by tens of world leaders will be held to focus on six key topics: Just Transitions, Food Security, Innovative Finance for Climate and Development, Investing in the Future of Energy, Water Security, and Climate Change and The Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities
