Licypriya Kangujam‘s fearless act calling for the end of fossil fuels at COP28 is simultaneously inspiring and disheartening. After bravely climbing the stage, alone, to beg world leaders to “work together to phase out coal, oil and gas, the top cause of today’s climate crisis.” Licy was kicked out of COP28, had her badge taken away and according to her mother, was threatened with such harsh words, the 12 year old broke down in tears. The United Arab Emirates has severely restricted protest activity at this year’s U.N. climate summit, and the fact that a child felt the need to risk arrest to plead for her right to clean, breathable air is heartbreaking. As heated.world put it Licy’s experience “falls into the same trap as ‘Office Workers Donate Vacation Days To Pregnant Colleague So She Can Have Maternity Leave.’ They are each valiant acts of altruism, and in Licy’s case, courage. But they are also acts that are only made necessary by a total systemic failure to protect children....