Young Generations Call for Action

michellev@rescuegreen.com — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:01:00 GMT

It’s easy to say that we need to help the environment, reduce our ecological footprint, and conserve energy for future generations but in reality many know that they won’t be here to see what happens. Hopefully, society doesn’t have this mentality of the future, especially those with the most influential power to promote sustainability. As young children today witness the effects of climate change there is no surprise that many question the future.

While we’ve heard of governments talk about climate change and energy conservation since before the Kyoto Protocol, what is actually being done by governments to solve these issues? It’s one thing to agree that something needs to be done, and it is another to actually comply and act. This is exactly what young people from around the world did August 20, 2009 in Daejon, Republic of Korea. Over 700 adolescents and young adults gathered to call upon world leaders to act on climate change, as part of Seal the Deal! campaign. They urged their leaders to act more and talk less. Yugratna Srivastava from India said, “it is very important to include the voice of children and youth in every environmental decision. It is our request to all politicians that they please take this statement into consideration in Copenhagen." At only 13, Srivastava knows that if her generation doesn’t make their voice heard now, they future prospects could be in worse jeopardy.

The gathering also stressed citizens to place more pressure on their governments to create a green economy as well as businesses to offer eco-friendly products. What these young people realize is that decisions made today affect the outcome of their future. This proves that the efforts behind climate change mitigation and a green economy are not only transboundary but intergenerational as well.

Here is a list from the article, describing what the children are asking from governments:

Agree on a more fair, just and action oriented post-Kyoto agreement adopted and implemented by all countries;
Have strict laws and enforcement against those who pollute and degrade the environment, coupled with education and incentives to protect the environment
Develop and implement clearly defined carbon action plans and climate response strategies, which can be monitored and reviewed by an independent multi-national climate facility
Transition toward a green economy based on renewable energies and offer more incentives for people to buy affordable energy efficient products
Reduce the number of vehicles and traffic density on our roads, including improved and affordable public and pedestrian transport systems
Make engaging environmental education mandatory in schools and universities and promote community environmental awareness - an informed public is a powerful public
Pay attention to the conflicts that have developed throughout the world and the negative impact it has had on the environment and develop conflict resolution strategies
Make it mandatory to include carbon and ecological footprint information in products
Implement green energy and industry, including sustainable food production
Support youth efforts to make a change in the world

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International Green Movement

Young Generations Call for Action