In order to invite actual change in our future every person must do their part and accept that change needs to start now. The most powerful and important people to insight this change are the youth of today. They are the ones that will be most impacted by climate change and its nasty effects on the planet. UNICEF outlines a great number of youth advocates that are working to create change in each of their countries. One of the most popular and well known is Greta Thunberg, but several others should be mentioned as well.
María is a young girl in Mexico. In her 19 years she has seen so much change and negative effects of climate change in her view, one such instance is the water crisis in many parts of Mexico. With this water crisis comes droughts and fires to fly across the country. One quote from María is “To preserve water, we have to preserve the forests.” She is so right about this and the crisis that she talks about is real, even if we here in the midwest might not see the effects in this way.
This image comes from NASA depicting the water situation in 2021. The image is a little outdated, but it shows the extremity of the situation that María is talking about. The severity of this situation is not something that we can ignore and it is terrifying to think about.
Another young activist comes from the Caribbean nation of Dominica. Russell Raymond is a 17 year old man and a reporter on climate related issues. After the terrifying effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017, he has used his camera to document the issues and impacts of the hurricane. He is an advocate for alternative energy sources saying that “alternative forms of energy like solar energy and wind…can stop climate change or at least put a dent in it.” The strength of Maria was a category 5 with winds up to 75 mph. This is such a crazy storm and they are getting more and more common. If we think about the past year here in the US, there were multiple hurricanes that demolished southern cities and forced many people from their homes. This is the kind of danger and thing that did not happen, or at least with this much intensity before climate change began to become a major issue.
Another activist that is up and coming is from the Philippines. Her name is Mitzi Jonelle Tan. She has been fighting for climate justice since COVID-19 and the hurricanes that hit her country. Her approach focuses more on the people that are affected. For instance, she would help feed the hungry and just be there to support them. One quote from her that is quite inspiring is, “This isn’t just about weather and the environment, It’s about justice.” Mitzi is right about this. With climate justice there is such a big focus on the globe that the people are forgotten. In reality we need to be thinking about everyone and everything involved.
From Zimbabwe, there is Nkosi who is another activist who at 17 years old has witnessed climate change first hand. He wants to make more people aware of what is really going on and how climate change can impact the world. He says that “there’s no other time for acting than now.” This is such a powerful and true narrative that we all need to be thinking about in our activism and thoughts about climate change and justice. Waiting to do something is not going to help with the problem, it might actually invite the problem to get worse.
I really enjoyed how you touched on the impact today's youth has to influence climate action. It is becoming more and more necessary for youth to become involved, as they and their families are those who will see and be effected by these worsening impacts first and have the most power to generate activism.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about these other young activists making change alongside Greta. Seeing people as young as 17 have a drive to make change and combat climate change motivates me to make change and switches the narrative in my head that I am just one person and too small to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThese specific examples show that the effects of climate change will not be felt equally around the world. People in poorer, more agrarian countries like Maria, Mitzi, and Russel will feel these effects more than most. That's why it's essential to keep equity in mind as we work to inform and mitigate the effects.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing their stories. Americans are usually so wrapped up with themselves that we forget about the rest of the world and what is happening in other countries. They are fighting against climate change just like us.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to hear about young activists who are already making a difference but it is also disheartening that so much pressure is being and has been placed on younger generations. This is exemplified by the increase in depression and climate anxiety in youth over the past decade.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the photo of the evaporative stress index in Mexico. This is very interesting because the same places that experience severe drought also experience extreme floods that turn deadly.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice learning about climate activists in other parts of the world. I honestly couldn't name another youth activist besides Thunberg before reading this post. I am curious, what were the last names of Maria and Nkosi?
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame to make the younger generation have to get involved in this climate crisis we are facing but it's important they know what going on because this will effect now and future generations to come
ReplyDeleteIt's inspiring to see young people like María, Russell Raymond, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, and Nkosi taking action in their communities.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you highlighted specific activists and what they are doing. Though it is sad that younger generations have to fight so hard to protect the world that they are inheriting, it is motivating and exciting to see and highlight the amazing things that these young activists are doing.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post, and I was so interested to see all these young people making a difference. When I was their age, I was more concerned about boys and having fun. The ambition is so amazing and to see that they have accomplished things is extremely ambitious. I love that you brought their stories to light.
ReplyDeleteSlight sidetrack, but I'd heard of Mexico's water crisis, about how the city itself is literally sinking into the ground as aquifers are drained without reprieve, and the rich have near unlimited access while the impoverished have it trucked in on set schedules.
ReplyDeleteSo it's really heartening to know they have dutiful young activists leading the charge against the root of the issue, and the root of many other issues plaguing our planet. Hopefully these movements can gain some big traction soon!
I agree with so many of the comments - these young people are doing such important work and all of us need to hear more about it. I have been working this last year to try to get the voices of youth climate activists into the public school classroom.
ReplyDeleteOlivia, the youth activists from around the world are leading the charge against climate change, highlighting the urgent need for action and a focus on both the environment and human impact. Their efforts remind us that now is the time to act, and that the most vulnerable communities must be prioritized in our pursuit of climate justice.
ReplyDeleteThis was an amazing post to read, it is very heartwarming to think about the youth that are taking a stand for our planet. I appreciate that you took the time to talk about these young activists individually.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It’s inspiring to see young activists from around the world stepping up for climate justice. Their stories show how real and urgent this crisis is.
ReplyDeleteHow can we better support youth-led climate activism? And do you think their voices are being heard enough by policymakers? Would love to hear your thoughts!