Young people and efforts to combat the climate crisis

Climate crisis is one of the most important problems in all parts of the world. although the biggest challenge is represented by large industries, the word and activism of the youth is a very important element of these issues. It is the youth who will lead the future generations and their engagement and participation in solving climate change is of crucial importance.

It is extremely important to note that young people from developing countries and underrepresented communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. Attention should also be paid to analyzing potential programs that can be used to encourage youth activism regarding climate change, as well as encouraging adult climate activists to mentor and encourage youth to participate in climate change activism. Efforts should be made to involve more young people from developing countries in existing climate change spaces, considering that in this way they will directly influence their country’s views on the climate crisis.

„Youth will have to deal with the full array of consequences due to the inaction of people in power and environmental regulation failures. Climate change is an issue that needs to be dealt with urgently due to the disproportionate burden it has on youth and future generations.“

„Healthy ecosystems are at the heart of development, underpinning societal well-being and economic growth. Through nature-based solutions, such as the sustainable management and protection of land, rivers and oceans, we help ensure that countries have adequate food and water, are resilient to climate change and disasters, shift to green economic pathways, and can sustain work for billions of people through forestry, agriculture, fisheries and tourism.“

Climate change poses an urgent threat to future generations. Children are more susceptible to its effects than adults, with immediate and lifelong impacts on their physical and mental health. In addition to having direct experiences of climate impacts, children and youth respond psychologically in troubling ways to their awareness of the climate crisis. Children’s and youth’s needs for support vary across contexts. Climate impacts are generally greater in the developing world (despite the fact that) people there are less responsible for causing the crisis), where capacity to prepare for and adapt to the effects is weaker. Hence, we need urgent action on both mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts. In doing this work, we must acknowledge and build the agency and engagement of children and youth, which also builds resiliency and hope. Although many programs are encouraging, they fail to reach all children in need and are limited in terms of evaluation.