The top Global leaders are in New York to attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019 which begins today. PM Modi is going to address the gathering of world leaders at the Summit, which is aimed at accelerating actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. PM Modi will also launch the International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) during his address in the UN.

Along with the global leader's concern on climate change, the youth of India are also much involved, in the alarming issue. This was evident in the UN Youth Climate Action Summit, which invited 100 youth all over the world to take part in the discussions on climate change. The pioneer of environment-conscious youth in the country, 15-year-old Aditya Mukarji who is known for his campaigning to get people to stop using plastic straws was one of the invitees on the September 21 Summit. Due to his immeasurable efforts to campaign against plastic usage, conservation of forests, and climate strikes, he was invited to be a part of the UN Youth Climate Action Summit.

READ I Greta Thunberg: youth activist leads climate change protest in the US

UN Youth Climate Action Summit

The summit took place on Saturday at the UN headquarters in New York. At the summit, Aditya Mukarji along with other young environmentalists was seen interacting with the Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres. He is seen mentoring the youth for the fight against climate change.

According to the UN website, "The Youth Climate Action Summit is a platform for young leaders who are driving climate action to showcase their solutions at the United Nations and to meaningfully engage with decision-makers on the defining issues of our time."

READ I PM Modi to address the Climate Action Summit on Sept 23 in the UN

Protest march in New York

Before attending the UN Youth Climate Action Summit, Aditya Mukarji took part in the climate change march organised by the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg in Foley Square, New York, on September 20. The protest saw a gathering of at least 60,000 young people emerging out to protest against the inability of officials to do anything to address the climate change issue. Aditya Mukarji was seen carrying a banner which read, "Climate emergency is now. When will you act?"

READ I UN Climate Action Summit: Here is what to expect from today's summit

Swachh Bharat Mission

Aditya Mukarji, while volunteering for New Delhi-based Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group, that works on waste segregation and environmental solutions had taken up upon himself to phase out plastic straws in various hotels and restaurants, switching them with eco-friendly paper straws. He undertook the 18 month-long initiative to eliminate 25 million plastic straws and other single-use plastics from the ecosystem.

READ I Bill Gates lauds PM Modi on Swachh Bharat & India's use of tech