A new generation of activists is out to change the world. They’re committed, they’re passionate – and they’re young. Their cause? Climate change. Youthful leaders around the world are demanding that steps be taken to restore and preserve the environment. They’re fighting in courtrooms, attending protests, engaging in social media campaigns, and lobbying politicians.
And you know what? They’re fostering increased awareness of the problem and, even better, reshaping public opinion and policy.
The Rise of Youth-Led Legal Challenges
In 2024, youth activists scored a huge victory when the Montana Supreme Court ruled that the state’s constitution guarantees a right to a stable climate. This ruling invalidated laws that had previously prevented regulators from considering the climate impact of new fossil fuel projects. This ruling sets a precedent for other states to make climate issues a part of every governmental decision.
2024 also saw Hawaii’s Department of Transportation agree “to take action to decarbonize…by 2045 to settle a lawsuit by 13 young people alleging the U.S. state was violating their rights under its constitution with infrastructure that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.”
Their lawsuit challenged the lack of clear action to address carbon emissions, particularly in the transport sector, and their settlement agreement with the state forces the creation of long-term plans to reduce emissions across various modes of transport.
Global Movements That Are Taking the World by Storm
Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg is the force behind Fridays for Future (also known as the School Strike for Climate). In 2018, fifteen-year-old Thunberg skipped school to protest Sweden’s climate laws. What began as a solitary protest outside the Swedish parliament rapidly became a global phenomenon; millions of students, inspired by Thunberg, have gone on strike.
This is Zero Hour, another youth-led movement, focuses on climate justice for vulnerable communities and emphasizes the connection between climate change and social issues such as racial and economic inequality.
Youth Activism at the Local Level
At the local level, youth climate movements often collaborate with environmental organizations to push for change. In cities like New York, young activists have pushed for the inclusion of green infrastructure in urban planning, advocating for sustainability practices in building designs, streets, and transportation systems. In Maine, a youth-led coalition of activists sued the state for failing to adhere to its legal obligations to cut greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that the state’s environmental protection agency had not made sufficient progress in implementing necessary measures to reduce carbon emissions.
Social Media as a Catalyst for Change
Social media has become a potent tool for youth-led movements. Activists use platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to share information, organize events, and connect with their climate action peers. Social media’s global presence provides young people with the means to spread their messages and create a network of solidarity beyond their immediate circumstances.
Organizations like Youth Climate Strikes USA and Sunrise Movement have harnessed the power of social media to promote their campaigns and encourage young people to get involved in climate action.
Empowering the Next Generation
Programs offered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) give young activists the tools they need to advocate for sane and sensible climate policies. These initiatives provide training in leadership, advocacy, and sustainable development.
More Thoughts
Youth-led climate movements are advocating for change and they’re making it happen. Legal action, grassroots organizing, and social media are among the means these young activists use as they pursue their goals. They’re telling us there’s only one beautiful, irreplaceable world…and it’s up to all of us, young and old alike, to save it.
