The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Moldova has issued a weather alert for the year 2050: the climate forecasts are grim unless today's adults take urgent action. The alert is delivered by Ruxi Gîlcă, an 11-year-old from Chișinău, who highlights the severe consequences of inaction: "Extreme droughts will wipe out wheat crops, and natural disasters will cost taxpayers around the world nearly US$6 trillion."

This awareness message is part of the global "Weather Kids" campaign, supported by the World Meteorological Organization, aimed at increasing awareness of the negative impacts of climate change and mobilizing people worldwide to undertake significant climate actions for the benefit of future generations.

Ruxi's weather alert concludes with a strong plea from children: "What we have presented to you today is not just a weather report. It's our future. We still have time to change the weather forecast," urging adults to commit to immediate climate action: reducing carbon emissions, protecting the environment, promoting renewable energy, and supporting initiatives to combat climate change. Globally, the "Weather Kids'' campaign messages are broadcast on news channels in over 80 countries. In the Republic of Moldova, the media partner of the campaign is Jurnal TV.

"Ignoring the warnings of nature can have devastating consequences, transforming the planet into a hostile environment for future generations. It is essential to act now, decisively and on a large scale, to reverse this negative trend. Through our initiative, we aim to mobilize global and local communities and stimulate meaningful climate actions that ensure a sustainable future. Let us listen to Ruxi’s call and take the pledge today, to enjoy the future on our planet that is livable for all," states Daniela Gasparikova, the UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

"It seems absolutely unfair and irresponsible to us and future generations that today's adults are indifferent to nature, especially since nature is our home. For example, in our generation, now, I have only seen snow a few times in my life. What will the climate be like in 2050? It depends only on us and our responsibility," notes Ruxi Gîlcă, the voice of the children 'from the future'.

"Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and I refuse to stand idly by. Through my work with UNDP and projects like 'An Optimist's Guide to the Planet,' I've witnessed firsthand the resilience of communities combating environmental threats. It's time to harness our collective power and protect our planet for generations to come. Our children will be our future weather reporters, climate journalists, emergency workers and medical professionals. UNDP’s Weather Kids campaign shows us the faces of those who will be impacted the most by our climate actions. Solutions already exist that can help us to cut emissions in more than half by 2030, but it’s time to act. Sign the pledge and take meaningful action,” said Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.

The Republic of Moldova is one of the most vulnerable countries in Europe to climate change, particularly prone to floods and droughts. The floods of 2008 alone caused over $120 million in damages, and droughts between 2007 and 2012 resulted in economic losses of over one billion dollars, affecting 80% of the country's territory.

To address this vulnerability and protect the population and economy of the country, in 2023, with the support of UNDP Moldova and the Green Climate Fund, the Republic of Moldova adopted the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme, a document that sets goals aimed at increasing the climate resilience of six essential sectors (agriculture, health, transport, energy, water, and forestry) and is accompanied by an action plan for preventing and overcoming risks.

You can sign the call for immediate climate action by visiting the campaign website: www.weatherkids.org