Youth in Action
Climate change has increased levels of uncertainty about our future. As its impacts intensify over time, one thing has become certain: We will leave the Earth to today’s children and young people, and to future generations.
The world is home to 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 to 24 — the largest generation of youth in history. Young people are increasingly aware of the challenges and risks presented by the climate crisis and of the opportunity to achieve sustainable development brought by a solution to climate change.
Young people’s unprecedented mobilization around the world shows the massive power they possess to hold decision-makers accountable. Their message is clear: the older generation has failed, and it is the young who will pay in full — with their very futures.
Young people are not only victims of climate change. They are also valuable contributors to climate action. They are agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators. Whether through education, science or technology, young people are scaling up their efforts and using their skills to accelerate climate action.
My generation has largely failed until now to preserve both justice in the world and to preserve the planet. It is your generation that must make us be accountable to make sure that we don't betray the future of humankind. — United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres
Voices and stories from around the world
Young people’s ‘green skills’ can help save the planet
Young climate advocates will join leaders of government and business at the Climate Ambition Summit, which represents a key milestone to accelerate action to limit warming to 1.5°C and ensure a just transition. UN News spoke with four members of the Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change about the importance of ‘green skills’ for youth and the messages they hope to deliver to leaders at the Summit.
Ayisha Siddiqa: “Young people aren’t just a quota to fulfil”
UN News spoke with Ayisha Siddiqa, a member of the Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, about how her background and how it informs her work, recognizing young people as key climate stakeholders, and why poetry “can be a mechanism of quiet protest” in the face of the climate emergency.
Young people’s message to leaders at COP27
At COP27, two youth activists Elizabeth Wathuti and Archana Soreng and the winner of the #MyClimateAction contest Ewi Stephanie Lamma demanded urgent action from world leaders amid the worsening climate crisis.
In the spotlight: The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change
Building on efforts to bring more young leaders into decision-making and planning processes, the Secretary-General announced the second cohort of his Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change on 16 March 2023. The Group will support the United Nations’ work in raising ambition and accelerating global action to tackle the climate crisis.
The seven members of the Group represent diverse voices of young people from all regions. They will offer perspectives and solutions on climate change and advise the Secretary-General on the implementation of his climate action priorities.
Learn more about the selection criteria here.
Meet them here9
THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
- Join the United Nations’ #ActNow campaign for climate action and sustainability
- Calculate your carbon footprint
- Learn from your peers on the Reach Not Preach platform
- Educate yourself on the impact of climate change through an online course offered by UNICEF
- Play Mission 1.5 and cast your vote for climate action
- Be a Climate Superhero!
- Read the Global Youth Statement on Climate Change and COP26 Outcomes
- Join YOUNGO, a global network of children, youth activists, and youth NGOs on climate change
- Speak up! Share this information through social media
Youth Climate Action Summit 2019
Young leaders from around the world convened on 21 September 2019 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to showcase climate solutions and engage with global leaders on the defining issue of our time.
The Youth Climate Action Summit brought youth climate champions together from more than 140 countries and territories to share their solutions on the global stage, and deliver a clear message to world leaders: we need to act now to address climate change. The event gave voice to the demands of young people for swifter action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.