H U

O CALLING ALL YOUTH Now that you have read the World Youth Report: Youth and Climate Change, it is the hope that with this LL newly gained knowledge you are inspired to take on the challenges A presented by climate change and do your part in achieving sustainable de-

NG velopment goals. Here are some sug- I gested steps youth can take toward mobilizing collective action for posi-

LL tive change: A GET INFORMED: ups, building sustainable structures, and recycling programmes have both imme- Keeping in step with the latest scientific diate and long-term effects. advancements and political develop- ments on the climate change agenda is PARTNER: important when advocating for change. Relevant and informed positions lead to Partnerships for sustainable develop- better strategies and more success. ment contribute to the implementation of intergovernmental commitments and BE THE CHANGE: were a complementary outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Develop- Taking a more conscious approach to ment. The UN Commission on Sustain- your everyday behaviours by consider- able Development establishes partner- ing the environmental and social conse- ships with a variety of actors, including quences of your actions is a good first youth organisations, with the aim of con- step in decreasing your carbon footprint. tributing to the implementation of Agenda Practicing a sustainable lifestyle sets 21, Rio+5 and the Johannesburg Plan of a positive example for others to follow; Implementation. Through formally estab- therefore, multiplying your personal ef- lished multi-sectoral partnerships, orga- forts. nizations have the opportunity to interact with a range of actors and increase their EDUCATE: knowledge on emerging climate change issues. Share your knowledge, information and innovative ideas with others, including: 73 your peers, school boards, community ADVOCATE FOR leaders, Government Officials, business GOVERNMENT ACTION: owners, and so on. Encourage them to learn more about climate change and It is up to the current generation of lead- to modify their personal and work-place ers to take concrete steps to harness consumptive behaviours. the potential young people represent in the fight against climate change. Gov- MOBILIZE: ernments should draw upon their youth populations to compliment their efforts Collectively, youth in action are a power- and strengthen the implementation of ful force. Consider the deep convictions sustainable development policies and held by young people, especially with re- programmes. Youth can call upon their spect to their future prospects, together Governments to: with the vast number of youth today. In some countries, youth populations out •• Institutionalize youth participa- number all other groups so, youth groups tion in decision-making. Tokenis- have great lobbying potential from local tic arrangements must be replaced to national levels. with formalized inclusive and delib- erative processes that allow young people to routinely influence cli- VOLUNTEER: mate change policy development Youth civic engagement has the potential and decision-making. In addition, a to profoundly impact local communities’ mechanism to ensure serious and sustainable development efforts. Donat- timely consideration of their pro- ing your knowledge, skills and labour on posals should also be established activities such as environmental clean- with a component to assess and explain the adaptation or rejec- tion of their inputs. Just as in other democratic processes, institution- alized youth participation must be characterized by consistency, transparency, and accountability at all levels of decision-making.

•• Invest in youth initiatives. Strate- gies to secure funding for youth or- ganizations involved in addressing climate change are required at lo- cal, national, regional and interna- tional levels. A climate change fund could be administered by and for young people to support initiatives that promote youth engagement in climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.

•• Establish a participatory role in international forums. Young people are now involved on a reg- ular basis in the activities of vari- ous international advisory bodies, 74 including within the United Na- tions system. The effectiveness of these bodies in integrating youth perspectives and facilitating youth empowerment should be evaluated with the aim of supporting the “lad- der of participation” model outlined in chapter IV of this report. Actions such as granting permanent status to the youth constituency (YOUN- GO) at COP 17 are a step in the right direction. 75