Luanda: The Vice President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, appealed this Saturday to young Angolans to assume the role of ambassadors of sustainability and involve children in responding to the challenges of climate change and nature conservation. The exhortation was made during a campaign to plant 520 tree seedlings, which was promoted within the framework of the celebrations of World Environment Day. This initiative was led by the Ministry of the Environment in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. According to Angola Press News Agency, Esperança da Costa emphasized that planting a tree with a child contributes to awakening a sense of responsibility, research, and environmental preservation from an early age. She noted that this practice also supports cognitive development and the strengthening of human capacities necessary to ensure sustainability. She highlighted that Angola has a high plant diversity and rich faunal and floral biodiversity, a herit age that must be preserved for the benefit of future generations. The Vice President stressed that the conservation of natural resources, fauna, flora, and biodiversity is a collective responsibility, not just that of governmental institutions or specialized organizations. Additionally, she mentioned that the Angolan Executive has prioritized environmental issues, pointing out the National Development Plan 2023-2027. This plan includes actions related to biodiversity conservation, adaptation to climate change, preservation of natural resources, and promotion of sustainability. For the Vice President, young people represent the hope of the country and should play an active role in defending life and nature, guided by patriotism, dedication, and love for the homeland. She also advocated for strengthening environmental education as an essential instrument to train responsible citizens who are committed to global challenges, such as environmental degradation, species decline, and climate change. She added that the act of planting a plant species extends beyond environmental protection, as it is also related to improving quality of life, public health, and food security and sovereignty. The Vice President spoke on institutional cooperation, emphasizing the partnership between the Ministries of Environment and Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation as an example of the need for unity among different sectors to face environmental challenges. "We must be together and join efforts to face the challenges facing the country," she said, advocating for the extension of the initiative to all higher education institutions in Angola. World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th, was established in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly, with the aim of promoting awareness and encouraging action in defense of the environment worldwide.