THIS week, I engaged with some youth from across the country. As part of our discussions, we identified how this age group is a key demography in our efforts to address the reality and impacts of climate change.
As we have proved in this brief for weeks now, climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and today's youth have a critical role to play in addressing this global challenge.
Youth have a role to play in both mitigation and adaptation approaches, and a refresher on these elements could be key.
As we have discussed before, climate adaptation refers to the actions and strategies taken to adjust to the changing climate conditions and minimise the potential damage caused by those changes.
It involves making changes in response to climate change's actual or expected effects to reduce vulnerability and build resilience.
The youth, who have known no other world besides this one threatened by climate change, must be at the forefront of adaptation strategies to cope with the reality of a changing climate.
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On the other hand, climate mitigation refers to the efforts and actions taken to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases and minimise human activities' impact on the Earth's climate.
Therefore, the youth has a big role to play in ensuring that the climate does not get worse under their watch.
They need to ensure that communities and governments are making enough effort to implement proper mitigation measures.
In our discussions, the youth agreed that climate change's impacts are far-reaching, affecting everything from food and water security to the spread of diseases and extreme weather events.
They noted that as current and future leaders and stewards of the planet, they have a vested interest in understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change.
First and foremost, youth have so much at stake because they will inherit the planet and its environmental, social, and economic challenges.
In our conversations, the youth noted that, unlike the old people, they still want a world for themselves and their children, which requires them to protect the climate.
By taking an active interest in climate change, young people can become advocates for sustainable practices, pushing for policy changes and environmentally friendly initiatives.
They were, however, the first to admit that for them to play an active role as advocates, they need to equip themselves with information and knowledge that ensures that they have a deeper understanding of climate change, its impacts and the role they can play.
With their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, the youth have the potential to drive meaningful change and inspire others to act.
Generally, youth are known and considered as mobilisers in their community, and they can take on this role to mobilise their peers and others to take an active interest in climate change.
Furthermore, the actions and choices of today's youth will directly impact the future trajectory of climate change.
By adopting sustainable habits, such as reducing energy consumption, minimising waste, and supporting eco-friendly businesses, young people can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future. Through education and activism, youth can raise awareness about the urgency of addressing climate change and mobilise communities to take meaningful steps towards a greener, more sustainable world.
Examples were shared on how young people have started businesses by recycling waste, which has helped them meet their livelihood needs while also combating climate change.
Empowering youth to care about climate change is essential for building a resilient and environmentally conscious society.
By amplifying the voices of young climate activists, providing opportunities for environmental education, and fostering a culture of sustainability, we can ensure that the next generation is equipped to tackle the challenges of climate change.
Youth play a critical role in climate change management and economic opportunities, particularly in Zimbabwe, where the youth population is estimated to be over 60%.
However, they noted the need for help accessing the necessary education and training programmes, financial resources, and job opportunities to participate in climate change management activities and take advantage of economic opportunities related to climate action.
Youth also have a key role in environmental conservation. These activities can encompass a variety of impactful initiatives that aim to preserve and protect the natural environment.
The role of youth in environmental conservation can include planting trees and reforesting areas to restore habitats, implementing effective waste management practices to reduce pollution, adopting climate-smart agricultural methods to minimise environmental impact, and embracing renewable energy initiatives to decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
Through meaningful participation in environmental conservation activities, young individuals can play a pivotal role in curbing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmentally sustainable practices, thus contributing to a healthier and more balanced planet for current and future generations.
Youth can collaborate with policymakers and other stakeholders to champion inclusive policies that bolster sustainability and combat climate change.
This could involve advocating for the implementation of renewable energy, sustainable agricultural practices, and other initiatives that foster sustainable development.
During the engagements, the youth expressed worries about the persistent issue of high unemployment rates.
They have also pointed out the promising potential for new job prospects within the renewable energy sector.
They emphasised that this field offers employment opportunities and serves as a space for fostering innovative ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives for the future.
Youth have the potential to significantly influence the advancement and acceptance of inclusive, sustainable technologies and practices.
Through their creativity and innovative thinking, youth can contribute to developing groundbreaking technologies and inclusive strategies that can effectively decrease greenhouse gas emissions and advance sustainable development.
Overall, my discussion with the youth demonstrated that they could amplify their understanding of the far-reaching effects of climate change and advocate for action within their communities and among their peers.
They can achieve this by orchestrating all-encompassing campaigns, events, and other activities to impart knowledge about the impacts of climate change and advocate for urgency.
Furthermore, they can hold governments and other stakeholders accountable, ensuring concrete measures are taken to tackle climate change.
- Muyambwa is a development practitioner and researcher with expertise and research interests in democracy, natural resource governance, climate change and youth participation. He has extensive experience working on climate change, economic governance and youth participation using gender-sensitive, gender-responsive and gender-transformative approaches. — fariedarlie@gmail.com.