Srinagar, Nov 24: Indian teen climate activist Licypriya Kangujam on Monday warned that the world is running out of time to confront the climate crisis, stating that “climate change is not waiting for us.” She said the global community has no time to waste, stressing that the responsibilities of governments and citizens are clear and must be fulfilled without delay, as “the future of the next generation depends on the decisions we make today.” In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir, the 14-years climate activist said that it is time for action and urged governments, policymakers, and the global community to take concrete steps to address climate change. She said that young people are increasingly bearing the brunt of extreme weather events, pollution and ecological degradation. Licypriya, one of the youngest climate activists on the global stage, said her own life had been shaped by natural disasters and environmental hazards from a very early age. “My life was hit by Cyclone Titli and Cyclone Fani in 2019. I saw devastation with my own eyes. Later, while living in Delhi, I experienced severe air pollution and extreme heat. These are not distant warnings — these are the realities children like me are growing up with,” she said. Born in Manipur and raised in Odisha, she said the early experiences of destruction caused by back-to-back cyclones left a lasting impact on her. “I was very young, but I saw houses collapse, children suffering and people losing their lives. Those moments shaped my understanding of what climate change really means,” she said. Licypriya said that the world had long been aware of the dangers of global warming, yet collective action remained slow. “Scientists and environmental experts warned us decades ago, but the global response has been weak,” she said. The global climate activist said that humanity must acknowledge its own role in worsening the climate emergency. “We are responsible for climate change, and it is a reality. We as humans have degraded our environment for years. Now the consequences are unfolding everywhere,” she said. Licypriya said that even the year she was born, greenhouse gas concentrations were already at alarming levels. “When I was born, the concentration of greenhouse gases was around 390 parts per million far above the safe limit of 350 ppm. Today, it has crossed more than 435 ppm and is still rising. This shows how fast things are changing and how urgently we need action,” she said. The teen activist argued that global leaders continue to make promises without delivering real change on the ground. “Thousands of children are losing their lives to climate-related disasters every year. Governments must fulfil their promises. This is not just about policies; it is about saving lives,” Licypriya added. Licypriya said her strongest appeals was a call to include Climate Education as a compulsory school subject across India and globally. “My focus is clear: we must introduce climate education as a mandatory subject. Only then will younger generations be equipped with the knowledge and skills to fight climate change. Awareness is missing at many levels, and without awareness, there can be no real transformation,” she said. Licypriya explained that children are not merely victims but also crucial agents of change provided they are empowered with scientific information. “Young people must understand what climate change is, why it is happening, and what actions they can take. This cannot be achieved through occasional workshops. It must be part of our academic system,” she said. Licypriya stressed that the youth have a critical role in ensuring that elected leaders take climate responsibility seriously. “Young people should make politicians accountable. We vote for them or we will vote for them in the future. They must answer for what they are doing or failing to do to protect our planet,” she said. Licypriya argued that climate issues should not be treated as secondary concerns. Government decisions today will define our survival tomorrow. We cannot continue ignoring this,” she said. She said that climate change is impacting both fragile ecosystems and highly populated regions across India. “Not only Kashmir is facing climate change. Sea levels are rising. Global temperatures are increasing. Kashmir’s temperatures are increasing in ways never seen before,” Licypriya added. Licypriya says unusual weather patterns, heatwaves, glacial melt, rising water levels, and biodiversity loss as signs of a rapidly warming planet. “People often think climate change is happening somewhere else. But the reality is that it is happening everywhere  from the Himalayas to the coastal belts,” she added. Licypriya also reminded ordinary citizens that the responsibility does not lie with governments alone. “It is not only the government’s responsibility. It is a collective responsibility and requires collective action. We all must change our behaviour towards the environment,” she said. Licypriya also warned that relying solely on legislation will not solve the problem. “We need behavioural changes. Plastic use, waste disposal, dependency on fossil fuels all this must change at the community level,” she said. She also urged the audience to step out of their daily routines and actively participate in environmental protection. “You need to come out of your comfort zones. Action is needed now. Waiting will only make things worse,” Licypriya said. She said young climate activists like her are often criticised or discouraged, but added that such pressures have never stopped her from working. “This movement is not about me. It is about safeguarding the planet for future generations. Despite her age, Licypriya plays a significant role internationally. She serves as the special envoy for the President of Timor-Leste, representing youth voices in global climate discussions. “Even though I am only 14 years old, my journey started much earlier. Climate change is not restricted by borders. It demands global cooperation, and I am honoured to be part of such work,” she said.