How to get younger generations involved in climate action?
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With the issue of climate change and its effects on the planet increasing, the United Nations Secretary General’s Youth Envoy, Ahmad Alhendawi and his office hosted a very interactive twitter chat on Wednesday and asked questions that many are still puzzled by; how to get younger generations involved in climate action?
The young Jordanian, who at 30 years old holds a Master’s degree in Advanced European and International Organizations as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems – is the first ever to be appointed Youth Envoy to the UN, a position that was created to serve as a bridge between younger people and the UN.
Alhedawi, who wrote for the Huffington Post’s Blog,
“the time has come for us to to develop new and sustainable methods to maintain our economy while managing our resources responsibly.”
He urged young people to take part in the environmentally friendly agenda that will secure their livelihoods in the long run. On Wednesday, Alhedawi further proved the importance of his position at the UN by using social media as a way to directly interact with young people.
Starting the conservation off with the question, “Why is climate action critical?” the envoy didn’t waste any time getting things in gear. Using the hashtag #YouthNow, the replies flooded my twitter feed – so much so I almost got whiplash. When I was able to catch up, I made sure the suggestions I made were plausible for both both the younger generations and the UN to achieve.
How can social media play a part?
Let’s face it, social media rules the world now. Gone are the days when learning was strictly done in classrooms with books and encyclopedias. Here for now are platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Google+ that can be used to host webinars that can reach the furthest regions of the planet that are harder to access. These sites can host a bevvy of free interactive classes with the partnership of local teachers to be able to reach children and teenagers that will eventually be part of the group of people who will run future governments. Teaching them through these outlets will show the UN’s commitment to the cause and their people. Think of it like Kahn Academy, but a UN one instead.
How can we start teaching children about Climate Action?
Children are like sponges, whatever we teach them now will be a part of the formative and influential years of their lives that will eventually make a difference in the world. As adults we can take a few tips from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) that provide aide, education, and organize volunteer groups to educate our children. Most of them have reports on their website on the work that they have been doing around the globe and can be used as manuals for work that can be done locally.
But, before we get to that, we can start by teaching children where their food comes from. Filmmaker and co-director of the Rincón International Film Festival Julio-Leslie Cabrera released his first short documentary Siembra Vida (sow life) this past April. In it, he presented several types of fruits and vegetables to students – all of which were stumped when asked to identify each by name. Furthermore, when Cabrera asked the children where the edibles came from they all answered “WalMart.”
As an environmental reporter and global citizen, it is my belief that we should teach our children to sow life, take care of our planet by hosting clean up drives in beaches and other areas of pollutants. Moreover, I believe that classes about nature, and science should be taken outdoors. That way the children can see the importance of their actions towards the planet. With this model, some schools in Puerto Rico have already taken this into consideration and have began the ‘green garden initiative’ where a vegetable garden is kicked off each semester. Students are given the responsibility to ensure these gardens are well kept and what grows in these gardens are in turn used in the lunchrooms. It’s a great incentive to take care of the land, learning initiative and a way to teach younger people how things grow and are cultivated.
Rewarding the hard work
However, to keep children and young people engaged, there has to be more of a reward for their work. In a society that constantly rewards positive efforts, it isn’t enough to eat what you sow, motivation to further promote climate action, and environmental education among youth people’s have must come from a higher platform. My suggestion of granting internships, or implementing leadership programs at the UN headquarters with NGO’s in NYC to those who do well was well received. I believe this will not only be a motivation, but will serve as further educational experience for them. During these internships/leadership programs they can learn directly while taking on a special responsibilities, starting programs that can benefit other countries and regions and vice versa. Eventually bringing back those lessons to the community, therefore creating a wider network of climate activists.
All is possible with today’s technology. But we should not forget to cultivate our land and get our children involved. The United Nations is starting something good here and we should all get more involved with them in order to secure our planet’s survival. You know, since we’re not in the future envisioned by Chris Nolan’s Interstellar and can’t send out a mission through space looking for habitable planets for our colonizing.
Photo Credit: Getty Images