International summits dealing with climate change are essential in fostering global cooperation, setting ambitious targets, and facilitating technology transfer. The recent UN Climate Change Conference, Dubai’s COP28, marked a step forward by formally endorsing a shift away from fossil fuels. Yet, these summits require greater inclusivity, ensuring meaningful participation from all stakeholders. This is particularly important with those most affected by climate change, including grassroots and indigenous groups, vulnerable communities, and youth movements.
The pace and extent of climate action, currently in the hands of elected and appointed officials who meet annually, is a cause for concern. The global failure to limit warming to 1.5 C, coupled with the expectation of surpassing this threshold, is a stark reminder that we are not just standing still, but losing ground on this urgent issue. The urgency of the climate crisis demands more immediate action.
In 1970, youth were recognized as crucial catalysts in mobilizing the response to an endangered environment. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, 2024, was conceived by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. His vision was to harness the energy he witnessed on American college campuses by the antiwar movement into a similar level of activism for environmental protection.
It’s time for youth to fill the gap between words and action and be unharnessed on this issue they have proven they care so much about. They should press for accountability on climate warming at every international assembly, not only in fora designated to deal with climate change but also at meetings of the UN, World Bank, G-20, and BRICS, among others.
The controversial selection of Baku for COP29 will not be the safest setting for increased youth activism. Still, it is essential to take their activism to as many multilateral meetings as possible; the world needs a strong youth statement in 2024. A beacon of hope for their full integration will be Brazil’s Amazon COP30 event in 2025, and President Lula’s government should begin now to welcome and incorporate young people as central stakeholders. This event holds immense potential for youth to make a significant impact on climate change discussions.
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Sustaining youth climate activism at COP and beyond
April 22, 2024
International summits dealing with climate change are essential in fostering cooperation and youth inclusivity has been a priority. Yet we aren’t going far enough yet, needing deeper youth participation to bolster accountability on climate policy, writes Thomas E. Garrett.
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International summits dealing with climate change are essential in fostering global cooperation, setting ambitious targets, and facilitating technology transfer. The recent UN Climate Change Conference, Dubai’s COP28, marked a step forward by formally endorsing a shift away from fossil fuels. Yet, these summits require greater inclusivity, ensuring meaningful participation from all stakeholders. This is particularly important with those most affected by climate change, including grassroots and indigenous groups, vulnerable communities, and youth movements.
The pace and extent of climate action, currently in the hands of elected and appointed officials who meet annually, is a cause for concern. The global failure to limit warming to 1.5 C, coupled with the expectation of surpassing this threshold, is a stark reminder that we are not just standing still, but losing ground on this urgent issue. The urgency of the climate crisis demands more immediate action.
In 1970, youth were recognized as crucial catalysts in mobilizing the response to an endangered environment. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, 2024, was conceived by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. His vision was to harness the energy he witnessed on American college campuses by the antiwar movement into a similar level of activism for environmental protection.
It’s time for youth to fill the gap between words and action and be unharnessed on this issue they have proven they care so much about. They should press for accountability on climate warming at every international assembly, not only in fora designated to deal with climate change but also at meetings of the UN, World Bank, G-20, and BRICS, among others.
The controversial selection of Baku for COP29 will not be the safest setting for increased youth activism. Still, it is essential to take their activism to as many multilateral meetings as possible; the world needs a strong youth statement in 2024. A beacon of hope for their full integration will be Brazil’s Amazon COP30 event in 2025, and President Lula’s government should begin now to welcome and incorporate young people as central stakeholders. This event holds immense potential for youth to make a significant impact on climate change discussions.
