Youth and Climate Change
The Initiative
The program is aimed at enhancing youth participation and engagement in climate change issues and mentorship as future negotiators. Zambia’s 60percent of its population comprises of Youth. Therefore, it is important that young people participate fully and actively in climate change platfomes/negotiations as they are the most bearers of both the present and the future impacts of climate change. Only through such participation can young people become empowered to shape their own future and contribute to the development of the local and international community. In the same vein, it is vital that Zambian youths have a say in the climate change mitigation and adaptation decisions which are being taken today by governments at the climate change UNFCCC Conference of Parties(COPs), national and community dialogues. The climate crisis demands urgent action. There is a growing regional, global and national movement calling for climate justice.
The programs has activities such as awareness, drama, meet your negotiator and Post COP21 analysis. It is the youth of the world who can set the agenda for the future and pursue it with diligence. They must do all they can to empower young people to take action, because the future belongs to them. The youth fit into the climate change and development equation, both as victims and also as solution providers. The youth are victims to climate change because current effects of climate change are a result of current and past human activities.
National and International Participation in Climate change process
CEJ has been a key player in participating in climate change process at both national and international level. Since 2010, CEJ has been an e attendee and led panel discussions at the UNFCCC Conference of Parties(COP) meetings.
Climate change creates elevated levels of uncertainty about our future and amid this uncertainty, one thing is certain. We will leave the Earth to our children, young people and future generations. Young people are increasingly aware of the challenges and opportunities that the necessary transition to low carbon growth entails, and many are joining the global dialogue on solutions, getting involved and taking action. As young people work across the globe to determine their future by acting on climate change, their actions inspire us all. These stories could not come at a better time. Work by and for young people is a critical component of raising political ambition to reach a new, universal agreement on climate change.
