Giant White ‘Air Bear’ and Young Activist Journey from Nepal to New York to Tackle Air Pollution Crisis

In a heartwarming and impactful move, a giant white teddy bear named Saathi, accompanied by a passionate child activist, 17-year-old Anuska, embarked on a remarkable journey from Nepal to New York to draw attention to the devastating effects of air pollution on children. The duo aims to urge world leaders attending the Global Goals Summit to take swift and decisive action to safeguard the future of children worldwide.

Saathi, aptly nicknamed the “Air Bear” in Nepal, spent the last six months touring Nepal alongside climate activists in a dedicated truck to raise awareness about the dire consequences of air pollution. During this journey, Saathi’s once pristine white fur transformed into a somber shade of dark grey, serving as a visual representation of the alarming effects of pollution. Along the way, Saathi engaged with policymakers, entertainers, and visited schools to emphasize the urgent need for action.

The giant teddy bear and Anuska will join the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Action Weekend in New York, where Anuska will passionately address world leaders about the imperative need for substantial progress towards the globally agreed-upon goals, particularly the goal aimed at protecting the planet for both current and future generations.

According to the latest Air Quality Life Index report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, air pollution is the most significant threat to human health in Nepal, reducing life expectancy by an average of 4.6 years. Nepal now ranks as the third most polluted country globally, following Bangladesh and India. Air pollution has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart problems, and cognitive impairment in children.

In the lead-up to the summit, Anuska passionately stated, “Children are among the most vulnerable groups facing the climate crisis. We must address how climate change jeopardizes children’s rights and the prospects of future generations. Our future hangs in the balance due to climate change. My message at the SDG Summit will underscore the significance of world leaders empathizing with the experiences of children when making decisions.”

Ayush Joshi, Director for Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications, and Media at Save the Children in Nepal, emphasized the urgency of transformative change, saying, “The post-COVID-19 era has witnessed setbacks in achieving many of the sustainable development targets. We believe that all stakeholders must break away from ‘business as usual’ and commit to urgent transformative changes.”

The “Air Bear” initiative is part of Save the Children’s ‘Generation Hope’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the climate crisis and its profound impact on children’s future, survival, learning, and safety. Save the Children played a pivotal role in shaping the SDGs and the accompanying 2030 Agenda, recognizing children as agents of change.

The SDGs were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, offering a shared blueprint for global peace and prosperity, now and into the future. They represent a call for action, calling on countries worldwide to collaborate in a global partnership.