It's Time to Let Young People Help Shape Climate Policy

Sep 1, 2021 | Jessica Cooke
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The climate crisis is one of the defining injustices of our time, and young people will live with the consequences for the longest. It’s no surprise then that they’re fearful about the future. In a recent global survey of youths aged 15 to 24 by Plan International, nearly all — 98% — were concerned about climate change and almost three-quarters — 74% — felt very or extremely worried.

As a result, many are taking action. In the face of stark warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — including that our planet could be 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer in just two decades — they have set up organizations, projects, and campaigns, bringing hope to environmentalists the world over. But worryingly, when it comes to the development and implementation of policies, which can bring the biggest systemic change, youths are consistently being excluded.