Comments
Fri, 04/24/2020 - 10:21
Wed, 04/29/2020 - 21:57
The establishment of a prototype Powering Young Initiatives dedicated to climate change is a Communications Initiative for Youth Development. It is a large undertaking and it will cost a considerable sum of money to set up However, it is being presented here to show case its innovative approach as an intervention that a) addresses both spheres of action on climate change - mitigation and adaptation - and b) cross-cuts them both. If Provided with Funds (if granted to this idea) will be used for the specific start-up costs within the Powering Young Initiatives larger program. In the long- run, this intervention targets young people of all socio-economic backgrounds. In the short-term, the primary target group can be described as general youth who possess enough spending power (from the middle-income, higher-income, and upper-lower income brackets) and have the habit of frequenting cafés for entertainment and social interaction. These youth are mainly in the urban centers. It is a conscious decision to target this class of community because, as the ones with spending power, they are also at the root of many of the problems contributing to climate change. They are the most prolific consumers and polluters. Wealthier urbanites consume in excess and produce waste at a ratio that tilts the scales in disfavor of the poorer sections of society. On a daily basis they consume more energy, gas, food and natural resources such as water and, reversely, they produce more waste (solid, liquid) and pollution (traffic, industrial) which contributes to increased greenhouse gases and carbon in the atmosphere. For the most part, are not dependent on weather or climates for their livelihoods, so changes in climate do not affect them as much as it does to people who do (e.g. farmers, fishermen) b. due to economic progress, tend to favor material gains, in the process, accumulating and discarding materials that have a high carbon footprint (c) by virtue of their wealthier, urban and self centered lifestyles, are not interested in, or don’t identify with what affects rural or poorer populations Urban youth, who are part of the problem, also hold, crucially, the most potential for being part of sustainable solutions. These young people will be the future leaders, decision makers, and drivers of society. If they can be motivated to adopt green lifestyles when young, they will lead by example in the future when they assume positions of influence. In addition, the exposure and interaction they receive from Powering Young Initiatives will motivate a portion of them to become environmental, innovators, researchers and Entrepreneurs This will, in time, increase the human capital with expertise in climate change issues in our societies, which will enhance the government’s plans and efforts.