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YOUTH DRIVING CLIMATE AMBITION

By Ernest Gibson
SUSTAINABLE AND JUST RECOVERY
For the first time since the pandemic took hold in March We currently have a system that has placed millions of
2020, more than 350 young people from all regions of the livelihoods in a position of reliance on unsustainable prac-
world convened in a single space. The Youth4Climate event, tices. Consequently when we make this transition into a more
hosted in Milano, Italy was an opportunity for young people to sustainable future, we need to think about the lives that will
underscore demands for climate action and present these to be impacted. We cannot claim sustainability if people’s lives
world leaders, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow. hang in the balance. This means that investments need to be
The demands that were discussed and agreed upon were made into supporting their transition. We need investments
for scaled up action in enhanced non-state actor engagement, into infrastructure, into trainings, but most importantly,
ensuring a just and sustainable recovery for all, building a investments into people. What is critical about these changes
climate conscious society, and ensuring that youth and youth is that they are timebound. We needed a lot of this action to
networks are supported in diving climate ambition. begin over a decade ago. The positive is that if we act now,
For many participants at the Y4C event, this level of physi- there is still hope.
cal interaction and face-to-face engagement seemed like a
distant memory. The opportunity to engage with other young NON-STATE ACTOR ENGAGEMENT
minds (without the aid of a screen) and feed off of the energy Climate solutions are reliant on a multi-sectoral approach-
in the room was a sensation that many of us didn’t realise we es; we need industries, governments and communities to
had missed. It was a glaring reminder that, by nature, we are be part of the solution. We need to work on ways to bridge
communal creatures – we thrive when we have the opportu- the gaps that prevent effective participation. To ensure an
nity to work together. In many ways, this is what set the tone inclusive future we need to ensure that all sectors have the
for the demands that were ultimately presented. opportunity to contribute to this future.
Without collective action, driven by ambition based on real-
life needs, we will struggle to solve the climate crisis. CLIMATE CONSCIOUS SOCIETY
The transition that needs to take place is an entire system
YOUTH DRIVING CLIMATE AMBITION change. This means that we need to find ways of ensuring that
There is an undeniable need for youth and youth networks we change ways of life, of thinking, and of measuring success.
to be part of the solution. Very often, young people are This starts with changing our education system by encouraging
carted in as tokens or checkboxes for the purposes of clout or young people to be more innovative and think critically about
reporting. This is not only completely unethical, but also an issues that have an impact on all of us. Our education systems
enormous waste of a resource. Young people are technical ex- have not successfully been updated to reflect the reality we
perts who have the capacity to reshape a system of economics live. It is of utmost importance that we nurture generations of
that is ultimately failing us. For this resource to be fully taken people that are well-equipped to travel the nuanced path and
advantage of we must ensure that there is deliberate and navigate a successful relationship with the environment.
meaningful participation, supported by training and capacity
building, but most importantly, that these activities are well editor@islandsbusiness.com
resourced. Simply having the ambition is not enough.

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