A large percentage of the world’s population today comprises
of young people with about 2.2 billion people being less than 18 years old. In
this era of global climate change, 85% of these 2.2 billion young people are a
resource that can be used to change the society towards reduction of climate change
for sustainability. Furthermore, the young people can play a key role in
dealing with all the difficulties that are facing humanity.
In strategy 2020, the Red Cross reaffirms that it is committed to
address climate change impacts on human livelihoods especially the young people
who make up the larger proportion of the population and the hope of tomorrow.
Strategic aim of strategy 2020 is geared towards ensuring that the public
adopts an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. This will lead to reduction of
green house gases emissions. Similarly, in Strategy 2020, the IFRC reaffirms
its commitment to ensuring that youth continue to volunteer and develop strong
Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. This will build a strong culture of
voluntary service among the youth encouraging sustainability and youth
participation in community and national affairs.
One thing that sets the young people apart from the rest of the
population is their enthusiasm, imagination, talent and energy. The young
people are more likely to get involved in local actions, play the role of
effective communicators within their communities and participate in
international actions against climate change and un-sustainability. For this
reason FAO and other international organizations have been working together to
come up with activities and mechanisms that enhance awareness, and access to
relevant knowledge and information among the youth. The main aim of these
efforts is to encourage participation of young people in actions relating to
environmental sustainability and social development issues such as global
warming.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has for a long time been on the
forefront in involving the young people in dealing with the humanitarian
consequences of global warming for sustainability. For instance in 2009,
the Red Cross organized the Youth on the Move convention in Solferino which had
climate change as one of the main themes. During the convention, a large number
of youth and teenagers received training from climate change experts encouraging
livelihoods sustainability. Since the conclusion of this convention, there has
been evidence of increased youth involvement in activities relating to climate
change and sustainability.
