Elected as UN Youth Representative: Zhang Liangyi – If Adults Don’t Act, No Win Is a Win

By Reporter You t
ru / Special Report

Zhang Liangyi, a young Taiwanese, broke through the numerous barriers the UN had set for Taiwan and was elected as an official youth representative, earning praise from many who marveled at how impressive the young people of Taiwan really are. In an exclusive interview with ETtoday News Cloud, he said: “Thank you to everyone for your concern. But if we lose the battle against climate change, then no matter how many times we win the UN Youth Representative election, it’s not a real win!” He voiced his firm resolve to continue fighting for climate change in the future.


▲ At 24, Zhang Liangyi is often jokingly called a “climate change radical” by friends. (Photo / Provided by TWYCC)

During the interview, Zhang couldn’t hold back his emotions: “Thank you to everyone for your care and support. If we lose the battle against climate change, then even winning the UN Youth Representative election multiple times doesn’t mean a win. The conference isn’t over yet — the real fight is just beginning. As a young person, I hope everyone in Taiwan can take this issue more seriously.”

He added: “Yesterday (December 5th) at 3 PM Doha time, youth from around the UN gathered at the venue. As Typhoon Bopha was ravaging the Philippines, extreme weather was causing real harm. Yet on our side of the conference, progress among nations remained painfully slow. Together with the Philippine Prime Minister, we sang and used our voices to tell climate refugees on the other side of the world: ‘We stand with you.’”

“Throughout this process, tears welled up in my eyes because all I could think about was how close Taiwan and the Philippines are — we also face typhoons. But how many of us actually realize that this is climate change? We’ve been experiencing extreme weather for a long time, but how many of our adults have taken bold action?” What young people in Taiwan want to shout out loud now is not just the excitement of being elected, but also more determination and hope.


▲ In 2009, Zhang Liangyi first heard the cries of the people from South Pacific island nations. (Photo / Provided by Zhang Liangyi)

Often dubbed a “climate change radical” by friends, 24-year-old Zhang Liangyi had just graduated this June from National Taiwan University’s Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical School. Though he appears passionate, he has only been involved in the “climate change scene” for four short years. It all started with the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in 2009.

Taking it back to the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen — at the time, Zhang Liangyi was just there with his school for an observational trip. He was deeply moved by the desperate cry of a middle-aged woman from Tuvalu at the venue. Kneeling emotionally on both knees, she shouted to the world: “Because of rising sea levels, my home is being forced to relocate. Please, save the island nations, save Tuvalu!” Her cries grew louder and more heart-wrenching, and the young people from all over the world present were shaken by the raw emotion of someone whose home was so vulnerable due to warming. They joined her in shouting: “Save the island nations, save Tuvalu!”


▲ Tuvalu, considered by many to be paradise on Earth. (Photo / Provided by You t
ru)

“That was my first encounter with the people of the South Pacific island nations. When I saw that woman from Tuvalu crying out, my first thought was, ‘Taiwan is also an island nation — what will our future be?’” For Zhang Liangyi, this simple thought seemed to penetrate his very being, transforming what had originally been a casual school trip to Copenhagen into a life-defining mission.

“Life isn’t just about thinking — seeing the suffering of the people of Tuvalu made me decide to go to the South Pacific and see the rising sea levels with my own eyes.” With new perspectives and drive, the following year Zhang packed his bags and joined the “Around the Wave Project,” which focuses on visiting island nations affected by rising sea levels. He traveled to Samoa in the South Pacific, another island severely impacted by warming.


▲ Zhang Liangyi traveled to Samoa and witnessed firsthand the exposed tree roots and receding beaches caused by rising sea levels. (Photo / Provided by You t
ru)

Samoa, where residents suffer from food and water scarcity due to rising sea levels, was also left battered by past tsunami threats, making the scene even more heartbreaking. Deeply moved time and again by what he saw, Zhang returned to Taiwan and immediately established the first youth-led organization, the “Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition (TWYCC).” The mission of the coalition was to send more young people to the annual UN Climate Change Conferences held around the world.

So far, the alliance founded by Zhang has successfully mobilized over a hundred young people to join the cause. Moreover, every year in Taiwan, more than ten young people are willing to spend over half a year training, taking exams, and paying their own way to attend international meetings — all just to experience the same world-shaking impact that Zhang once felt.

“Young people can definitely change the world!” After diving deep into the climate change summit, Zhang realized that the voices of youth outside the formal agenda could still become important references within the conference. Standing before hundreds of young people from around the world, he introduced himself with “I COME FROM TAIWAN” and successfully became a UN official youth representative, helping to make Taiwan’s voice heard. But the real challenges, for young people, were only just beginning.


▲ During the Qatar conference, young people in Taiwan also launched online solidarity campaigns. (Photo / Provided by Zhang Liangyi)