Youth lead the charge in climate fight

One of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century, the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson wrote and sang the ‘Earth Song’, creating environmental awareness due to conflicts and climate change. The lyrics had questions: What about sunrise? What about rain? What about all the things that you said we were to gain?

This was in 1995. Three decades later, the world is still searching for answers.

Clearly, we missed the message that we must give back to the environment what we take and take only as much as we need, but as is the human tendency, greed took precedence and the result is the calamities all around.

Moreover, without proper guidelines on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) goals on the carbon emissions needed to be reduced, it’s still being figured out how to eliminate the dreadful impact of climate change and its effects on the habitat.

Frontline approach

However, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has long prioritised youth engagement around climate issues and provided platforms to share their ideas and advocate for global actions.

It feels young people can lead projects that build climate resilience at schools, colleges, hospitals and community centres; train in green skills across sectors; protect ecosystems by preserving water sources and forests; turn waste into energy; adopt sustainable lifestyles, and encourage governments to enact policies and fund climate adaptation measures.

While discerning that young people are aware of climate change, UNICEF launched ‘The Green Rising’ project with an ambitious plan to mobilise 10 million youngsters to take concrete climate actions in their countries and communities by 2025.

Vanessa Nakate, the organisation’s Goodwill Ambassador stated, “We need young people in the rooms where decisions about our planet are being made because young people are not only on the front line of the climate crisis, but we are also on the front lines of the fight for climate justice.”

The guiding light

With robust technology at their fingertips, present-day activism is not blurred. Youngsters are discussing the perils of environmental degradation and contributing to the green transition.

a) In Burkina Faso, kids are learning to install solar power.

b) In Lebanon, they are setting up systems to turn biowaste into fuel.

c) In Cambodia and Kazakhstan, they are aiming for single-use plastics.

d) In Burundi, they build clean energy stoves, sans wood for cooking.

e) In India, they are trained in water conservation in parched states.

f) In Kyrgyzstan, they focus on disaster management during weather crises.

g) In Malaysia, they impart indigenous knowledge to protect the environment.

h) In Maldives, the ‘Muhyiddin Scouts’ address coral bleaching.

i) In Mongolia, they monitor air pollution levels touching red zones.

As Gen Z are the ones to suffer the most on inheriting a smoky planet from elders, peace coalitions like the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (GCYPS) and the United Network of Young (UNOY) Peacebuilders are asserting themselves to strengthen youth participation in bringing harmony to the negotiating table of the warring factions.

Active and vocal in their views on the impacts of war on civilians and climate change, they are striving to turn around the Earth’s climate with support from seniors. The youth are aware that warmer temperatures have altered the living pattern, leading to an abundance of allergens causing lung infection, rising asthma cases, and cardiac arrests at a young age.

The above-normal temperatures have caused disruptions and a mismatch between pollinators and plants.

It’s comforting that the youth is leading the global movement to demand more action from governments and other entities to tackle climate change. Utilising their skills and creativity to raise awareness, educate others, and implement solutions, their activism is likely to brighten the lives of many and bring about positive change.

International Youth Day

The youth have better tools and opportunities to make a difference. With access to education, technology, and science, they can alert and address the challenges of climate change from any corner of the world. While utilising the space in the international arena to hear their pleas, they influence decision-making processes that affect their future.

For instance, at the COP forums, they organise and participate in events and activities including the Conference of Youth (COY), an annual event that prepares youngsters to participate in debates. They engage with stakeholders, such as governments, civil society, media and businesses to speak out and influence opinions.

Expected to advocate ambitious and inclusive climate actions, the Youth and Future Generations Day emphasises initiatives and perspectives on climate change.

In 2002, the UN designated Aug. 12, as International Youth Day (IYD). It was conceptualised by young people at the World Youth Forum in Vienna, Austria, in 1991. Hosted by the Government of Portugal alongside the UN in 1998, it was adopted in a resolution by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth.

With education as the key to their agenda, the purpose has been to draw attention to cultural and legal issues and encourage participation, especially of the vulnerable.

Turning the tide

Every year, the subject differs. Reflecting the current challenges and opportunities, the theme for 2024 was ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development’.

It highlights the role of digital technology in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasises the importance of youngsters in the process.

The goals are to explore how technologies and data can help achieve the SDGs; showcase digital solutions and innovations from young people, and provide a knowledge base for stakeholders to access data and insights.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that nearly 2.9 billion people, many of whom are young, lack access to the internet. This divide is especially pronounced in regions that have limited educational and economic opportunities for the youth.

It demonstrates how the clicks can be turned into progress by supporting businesses that prioritise sustainability. It can be done by approaching companies that use eco-friendly practices, support fair trade and promote businesses through social media.

It’s time to live up to the words of William Shakespeare, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

(The above content is an excerpt of the author’s recently published book Climate Change Enigma: A Delicate Balance)

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi is Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Emirate of Sharjah