Leadership: The planet needs youth to spearhead climate action

Young people should be shaping the future, not worrying about it. But the climate crisis continues to threaten the planet, and the window to act is closing. KATIE YU explains why her generation must lead the fight.

The world is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, including more frequent and intense heat waves, floods and wildfires. Today’s youth will continue to feel these impacts for decades to come even though we are the least responsible for causing them. Our climate anxiety is at a high because we don’t know what our futures will look like.

The climate crisis is also affecting certain geographic areas and people disproportionately. For example, it affects culture and way of life for Indigenous youth in northern regions. Growing up in Iqaluit, Canada, I’ve learned from my community how integral the land and sea is to Inuit culture.

As youth, we know that our futures are at stake, and we see the climate crisis for what it is—an emergency. For years, young climate activists around the world have called for a just and sustainable world. To sound the alarm, we have organized and attended climate strikes, addressed decision-makers, written to the media and worked with environmental organizations, among many other actions.

Last summer, I worked as a community liaison intern in WWF–Canada’s Iqaluit office. I assisted with community initiatives, such as clean-ups, and wrote two blog posts for the organization’s website, including one about what youth can do to fight climate change. During my internship, I met amazing people and learned a lot about climate change and climate solutions. For example, it was there I learned that the Arctic is warming about three times faster than the global average.

Valuing youth and creating opportunities for action

Opportunities for climate action need to be accessible and inclusive to all youth, especially those who are (or will be) most impacted by climate change. Environmental and youth advocacy organizations should continue to offer volunteer and work positions specifically for youth and must value them as team members. I’ve learned that it is crucial to have peers and mentors to support you in climate activism work.

On the other hand, it is extremely frustrating when adults and decision-makers do not take the concerns and demands of youth seriously. I am a litigant in the Voting Age Challenge, a Canadian court case arguing that the current voting age of 18 is unconstitutional and advocating to lower it. A huge part of our rationale for pushing for this change is so we can play a more active role in fighting the climate crisis, such as by voting for governments that take the issue seriously.

The climate crisis was passed on to us from previous generations. If anything is going to change, we must take a much more proactive approach in the transition away from fossil fuels.

I am still hopeful about the future because I know that youth activists, like me, will never stop fighting for a better one. It’s important that we speak up, act now, and recruit and support other youth to do the same. We are the last generation who can take substantial action to avert climate catastrophe, and every decision matters. Our futures and those of the next generations depend on our tenacity.