By Brian Seroney
Has climate action become an intergenerational war? In the era of blame games of who caused and who’s facing the effects of climate change, intergenerational dialogue has become crucial. In the words of former U.S President Barack Obama, ‘If we don’t act on climate change, then the future generations will not have the luxury to even discuss about it’– highlighting the urgent need for climate action. With the current effects, the youth will be among the most affected social group with lifelong environmental and health effects if action is delayed.
As the world continues to experience varying complexities of climate change, the youth remain at the center-stage of the crisis. With a looming population estimate of 1 billion youth in Africa by 2063, this understates a critical concern. The increasing demography poses a significant risk of the balance between increasing population and scarce resources; and also, opportunities to be harnessed. Limited knowledge and participation in climate-positive utilization create an imbalance in the future.
Recently, a study by UNDP indicated that only one in three youths is concerned about climate change being a global challenge. While the Gidden’s Paradox of climate change not being seen as an everyday challenge may blind the masses from actively ‘fixing’ the changes, there is hope in what needs to be done.
There is no single solution to fix the climate crisis. The late Nobel Laurate, Prof. Wangari Maathai fronted the Mottanai ideology of reducing, reusing and repairing- to ensure more stewardship of the earth’s resources. The youth’s ingenuity comes in handy in creating novel and sustainable answers for the challenge. From enhancing technical expertise, accessing climate information to resource mobilization; the youth can create avenues for climate action.
By equipping young people with knowledge about climate science, sustainable practices, and local adaptation strategies, we create a generation of climate-conscious leaders ready to tackle challenges head-on. Grassroots projects, such as community tree planting, clean energy adoption, and advocacy for stronger climate policies, can foster immediate and long-term impact. The ripple effects of such actions will inspire entire communities to embrace change.
The role of the youth in shaping the present and future is urgent and vital for both the environment and the economy. Climate change has turned out to be a political and economic tool, hence the need to develop innovative strategies for youth-led actions. Strong governance and institutional platforms can create environments for youths to thrive, creating a story of resilience, unity and innovation. The solutions are not just for the youth, but by the youth.
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