ROLE OF THE YOUTH TOWARDS CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

Children and youth

The world's population is young, with nearly 2.2 billion people under the age of
18 of which 85 percent are living in developing countries. Children and young people
are concerned, thoughtful citizens, capable of participating in, and changing the
society of which they are a part; and they have an important role to play in
addressing and affecting the issues of our world.

In addition, children and young people have enthusiasm, imagination and

abundant energy to undertake local actions, act as effective communicators in their
communities and be involved in international arenas. FAO with a number of partners is
therefore developing resources, activities and the mechanisms to enhance awareness,
access to information and participation of children and young people in a range of
environmental, social and sustainable development issues, including climate change.

We will need the spirit of youth in abundance as the world seeks to embrace
cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy, including renewable resources. The
transition to a low-carbon economy that we hope young people will see in their
lifetimes offers tremendous opportunities. I urge young people around the world to
invest their energies and bright ideas into shaping a safer, more sustainable planet.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times.
Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate
change. Climate change impacts range from affecting agriculture, further endangering
food security, to sea-level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones increasing
the intensity of natural disasters, species extinction, and spread of vector-borne
diseases. This issue is of immense importance for every global citizen. Hence it
requires an initiative against it globally. [1]

Youth play a crucial role in combating climate change. A questionnaire-based

pilot survey was conducted in Pune city of Maharashtra state, Indiam to assess
awareness about climate change among the college going youth. Amongst 201
respondents 66.2% were males and 33.8% were females studying in various faculties or
courses. About 98.5% respondents said global climate is changing, 95.5% of the
respondents also commented that human activities contribute to climate change. The
study also assessed awareness regarding major international organizations and panels
working on global climate change and its effects. Only 45.3% of the respondents knew
about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the
Kyoto Protocol while 45.8% were aware of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) which conducts scientific analysis of climate change, global warming
and its impacts. About 54.5% of the respondents believed that youth could play a
major role in combating climate change.

As per the 60th annual DPI/NGO conference organized by the United Nations
Department of Public Information (DPI) in collaboration with the NGO/DPI, an
executive committee meet on "Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All" was held from
September 5 to 7, 2007, at the United Nations Headquarters. It stressed the role of
youth, the next generation which inhabits the Earth and inherits the responsibility to
protect the planet, in fighting the complex scientific problems and social quandaries
presented by climate change. Youth education represents one of the most effective
tools to combat the destructive potential of climate change and cultivate an
international understanding among members of the next generation since it is a long-
term process that will impact an infinite number of future generations. [2]

The theme of International Youth Day, 2008, was "Youth and Climate change:
Time for action." In his address, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
said young people who are adept at spreading new habits and technologies are well
placed to contribute to the fight against climate change. Mr. Ban stressed: "They
(youth) are adaptable and can quickly make low-carbon lifestyles and career choices a
part of their daily lives. Youth should therefore be given a chance to take an active
part in the decision-making of local, national and global levels. They can actively
support initiatives that will lead to the passage of far-reaching legislation." [3]

A more defined role should be given to the youth to prevent the impact of
climate change. It is essential to conduct major studies among youth regarding
awareness about climate change as well as role of youth in combating climate change.

References

1. Pandve HT, Deshmukh PR, Pandve RT, Patil NR. Role of youth in combating climate change. Indian J Occup Environ Med
[serial online] 2009 [cited 2010 Jan 11];13:105. Available from: http://www.ijoem.com/text.asp?2009/13/2/105/55130
2. Young people should have active role in combating climate change - Ban. Available from
http://un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=27670andCr=YouthandCr1= (10/06/2009)
3. Youth Education Outreach Initiative, 60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference, as available from,
http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/conference/60/Youth1.htm (10/06/2009)
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROCLAIMS 2010 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF YOUTH, TO
ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE, UNDERSTANDING ACROSS GENERATIONS

In efforts to highlight their contribution to society and help address the

challenges they face, the United Nations is dedicating a year to young people by
proclaiming 2010 the International Year of Youth, commencing on next 12 August.

Under the theme “Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”, the Year will aim at
encouraging dialogue and understanding across generations. It will promote the
ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms, as well as solidarity. It will
also aim to encourage young people to dedicate themselves to achieving the
objectives of progress and development, including the Millennium Development Goals.

In its resolution proclaiming the Year, adopted today, the United Nations
General Assembly called on Governments, civil society, individuals and communities
worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the Year.

“The International Year is about advancing the full and effective participation
of youth in all aspects of society”, says Nicola Shepherd, Focal Point on Youth. “We
encourage all sectors of society to work in partnership with youth and youth
organizations to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the
contributions that they can make to society.”

Several international events are already scheduled throughout the year. They
include the Fifth World Youth Congress, to be held from 31 July to 13 August 2010 in
Istanbul, Turkey, and the World Conference for Youth, in Mexico City from 24 to 27
August. Both gatherings will focus on youth and sustainable development in the
context of the Millennium Development Goals. The inaugural Youth Olympic Games in
Singapore (14-26 August), will aim at inspiring youth around the world to embrace,
embody and express the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

For further information, contact Nicola Shepherd, United Nations

Programme on Youth, youth@un.org or visit http://www.un.org/youth.

Contextualized Learning

In many ways, contextualized learning is nothing new. It is based on the proposition that people learn more effectively when
they are learning about something that they are interested in, that they already know something about, and that affords them
the opportunity to use what they already know to figure out new things. It is similar to a fairly common approach in reading
instruction which emphasizes the value of prior knowledge in enabling readers to make sense of what they read.

"According to contextual learning theory, learning occurs only when students (learners) process new information or knowledge in
such a way that it makes sense to them in their frame of reference (their own inner world of memory, experience, and
response). This approach to learning and teaching assumes that the mind naturally seeks meaning in context--that is, in the
environment where the person is located--and that it does so through searching for relationships that make sense and appear
useful.