Abstract
As society grapples with the extensive crisis of climate change, youth-voices have become a powerful voice in driving for climate solutions. This research paper seeks to delve into the multifaceted world of youth-engagement in these issues, focusing primarily on three topics: the effectiveness of combating climate change through these driven voices, the influence of youth-led climate movements and activism on policy decisions, and how these movements have further mobilized youth in finding climate solutions. In consideration of these topics, the concluding research findings will emphasize the significance of youth in creating a habitable planet for all.
Introduction
In today’s rapidly changing world, climate change is a more prominent issue than ever before. From the extensive utilization of fossil fuels to the emission of greenhouse gases from our very own agriculture, the Earth is slowly becoming inhabitable (Turrentine, 2022). While the human population is in dire need of activists from all over the world to contribute to combating climate change and finding climate solutions, youth-activists in particular, such as those part of the climate movements “Climate Cardinals” or “Earth Uprising,” play an extremely important role in this fight. Many young people, victims of the phenomenon itself, have voiced their concern about the Earth’s escalating temperatures. For example, the World Economic Forum has reported that around 70% of people aged 16-25 are worried or extremely worried about climate change (Buchholz, 2022).
The rise of youth engagement in these types of issues has led to the development of innovative, sustainable solutions. This increased youth involvement has allowed for an overall positive impact on society and the betterment of our world (“Rising World,” 2023).
The Emergence of Youth-Led Climate Movements & Youth Activists
The need for a better, more sustainable planet has always remained an earnest desire among many for years. Each new generation has witnessed the intensification of the Earth’s unsustainable conditions, marked by a continuous rise in the planet’s air temperatures rising year by year, as reported by NASA’s Earth Observatory (“World of Change,” n.d.).
Visual #1 (NASA’s Earth Observatory Global Temperature Report)
As a result, enduring persistent increases in temperature has become normalized, with the younger generations becoming victims of Earth’s inhabitable environment and bearing the brunt of its slow death.
Thus, with the pursuit of creating a brighter tomorrow for future generations, numerous youth-led climate movements have arisen over the years, along with many youth activists, to fight this global phenomenon (“Rising Voices,” 2023). For example, international youth-led non-profits like the “Climate Cardinals” or “Earth Uprising” are among the most well-known, with aims to spread information about climate change all over the world, making climate education accessible to all (“Rising Voices,” 2023). In joint with these goals, different youth activists like Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate have been able to use their powerful voices in response to climate difficulties faced today too (Hope, 2022).
The Accomplishments & Effectiveness of These Movements
It is quite evident that youth-led climate movements and youth activists themselves desire to make a true change in the world. As an active voice for youth, for example, Swede Greta Thunberg has been able to wholly represent their real worries and concerns about the environment, making sure they are known (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.).
In Thunberg’s own home country, she experienced firsthand the terrors of climate change: horrendous heatwaves and intense wildfires (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). From this, Thunberg organized a movement known as “Fridays for Future” (otherwise known as “School for Climate”), where she skipped school each Friday to continue to protest these issues. She is not alone in this fight though, having accumulated hundreds of thousands of students to participate in these demonstrations too, showing the increase in society’s interest and awareness in and of climate change (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). For example, even countries such as Uganda have involved themselves, where Native Vanessa Nakate has spread the “Fridays for Future” movement (“Vanessa Nakate,” n.d.). Nakate has much experience with this type of activism, having founded the “Rise Up” Climate movement that focuses on installing solar panels in many Ugandan schools and giving African climate activists a voice (“Vanessa Nakate,” n.d.).
Because of these movements and protests, climate activism has been heard by political sectors and even the economy (Selzer, 2021). In fact, a decision made by the government’s Cabinet Committee on Climate Change on an introduction of a CO2 price from 2021 onwards stemmed directly from the effectiveness of the Fridays for Future demonstrations (Selzer, 2021). These demonstrations proved effective in changing consumer behavior and persuading citizens to take fewer flights and eat less meat (Selzer, 2021).
Organizations like these allow for the mobilization of youth in all parts of the world to help in finding climate solutions. Climate change has become a more well-known issue to not only governments, but also to all those around the world because of youth voices.
Conclusion
This research paper has explored multiple examples that make clear the extent to which youth play a major role in fighting climate change, finding climate solutions, and their overall effectiveness on changing policy decisions in doing so. From the Fridays for Future movement to individual activists like Vanessa Nakate, ensuring that the present generation have their voices heard is one of the most important musts to create a more sustainable, habitable Earth.
References
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International Youth Scientists 