Canadian teen tells UN to ‘warrior up,’ give water same protections as people

Canadian water activist Autumn Peltier, a 13-year-old from Manitoulin Island, addresses the UN General Assembly on world water day. Her plea to protect the world’s water was part of the UN’s launch of the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo)

It’s time to “warrior up,” stop polluting the planet and give water the same rights and protections as human beings.

Autumn Peltier

That’s the message Autumn Peltier, a 13-year-old Canadian, delivered personally to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

“Many people don’t think water is alive or has a spirit,” she told the diplomats gathered in New York City in her speech on World Water Day. “My people believe this to be true. “Our water deserves to be treated as human with human rights. We need to acknowledge our waters with personhood so we can protect our waters,” Peltier said, her five-foot frame standing on a stool behind the podium so she could reach the microphone.

The teenager from Manitoulin Island on Georgian Bay was invited as the “representative of civil society,” joining UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and other international dignitaries for the launch the UN’s International Decade for Action on Water for […]

Full article: Canadian teen tells UN to ‘warrior up,’ give water same protections as people

More about UNESCO and the United Nations on Water:

• Water Quality and Emerging Pollutants: addressing new global challenges
• UN promotes nature-based solutions to growing water shortages
• Urgent need to manage water more sustainably, says UN report
• Interfaith Leaders From Across The World Pledge To Protect Rivers, Glaciers
• U.N. Investigator on Extreme Poverty Issues Grim Report — On The U.S.A.

Water Warriors and Other People Stories

• These tribal leaders are water pioneers — and 2023 Arizonans of the Year
• Energy company wants to build hydropower projects on the Navajo Nation. Not everyone is on board.
• Understanding the connection between surface water, groundwater and the environment with Caitlin Cornwall
• Why limiting PFAS in drinking water is a challenge in the US
• ‘If there’s no water, what’s the point?’ Female farmers in Arizona – a photo essay
• EPIC to honor local watershed advocate

• <<
• 1
• 2
• 3
...
• 13
• >>