In May 2019, a group of climate activists began to organize Polas X El Clima (Beers for Climate), a space for discussion where young people of all ages and perspectives met to discuss the present and future of climate activism in Colombia and the region. After countless hours of discussion and debate, we identified a fundamental disconnect between the messages that science gives us, the interests of the broader public opinion in the region, the priorities of young Latin Americans, and the predominant political messages in the country. We concluded that it was time to “tropicalize and humanize” the climate discourse. Not only did we need to start talking about the role that the countries of the Global South, including Colombia, play when tackling climate change mitigation and adaptation, but we also considered it essential to make a stronger connection with the socio-economic problems of inequity, violence and poverty that have so overwhelmed our region.

We began with a series of questions: Is the climate crisis a real and tangible concern for the Latin American peoples? How can we communicate the crisis in a way that is more accessible to those who see the environment as a distant issue unrelated to everyday social, cultural and political concerns? Beyond marching on the streets, what political action mechanisms do we have to promote climate action?

Pacto X El Clima was born as a dream to empower young leaders committed to change and social justice through art, pedagogy, political action and original research.