United Nations World Youth Report. Youth and Climate Change.
Source: United Nations Programme on Youth
From the introduction:
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century. It is a challenge that is global in both its impact and its solutions but one that is not shared equally, as developing countries are likely to be among the most seriously affected by and the least able to address the consequences of climate change. Climate change touches every aspect of life and impinges on development efforts, with consequences ranging from immediate to long term. Major adjustments are required to promote more sustainable patterns of production and consumption at both the collective and individual levels. Solid evidence exists that climate change will have a more serious impact than initially anticipated and that adaptation and mitigation will entail significantly higher costs if action is deferred than if the problem is addressed now.
Addressing and adjusting to the challenge of climate change is certain to be a defining feature of the future of today’s youth. It is therefore critical that young people educate themselves and become more actively involved in combating this threat. The present Report is designed to assist youth and youth organizations in such an endeavour. It is also meant to affirm the status of young people as key stakeholders in the fight against climate change. The publication comes at a time when efforts to address climate change are receiving unparalleled attention in the international arena, offering youth a unique opportunity for their voice to be heard in the debate.