TakingITGlobal

This participant from Beijing has a very astute worry: I'm worried that this paper will make the governments touched and promise to do something but... if we want to achieve climate change [mitigation] we need to contribute our economy and maybe shut down factories and use extra money, maybe a lot of money, to do things. That makes me concerned if we can really make a difference, if government is going to act, I'm not so sure… If only a few people support this, not so likely to make a big enough difference. ( B E I J I N G , I N T E R V I E W ) What will be the impact of the White Paper? Team members' desire to move beyond talking was consistent and persistent, but will it truly motivate action? I want all people to know about this so we can get together to save the earth. Not just talking, but getting together to do the real action. ( J A K A R T A , I N T E R V I E W ) Speaking at the IPCC conference seemed to team members like real action, but it remains to be seen if the scientists and policy makers in attendance will act on what they learned from these youth. How will these inspired youth feel in a few years if they believe their paper hasn't done as much as they hoped? The good news is, whatever the outcome of their White Paper, team members have been tangibly affected, motivated, and engaged. Further, they have provided government officials, policy makers, and educators something to act on. The responsibility to continue the work is not solely on the youth - it is on all of us. To address climate change effectively, their work, and our work, is not over. Research by Wicks (2017) outlines three key components that encourage the success and longevity of youth involvement in environmental issues: competency, identity development, and relatedness; in other words, the necessary knowledge and skills to act, confidence in one's ability to do so, and a community to support that involvement. These youth have the competency, but to succeed in the future, they will need support and community, involving teachers, parents, and friends. With this support, they will be far more able to maintain their own emotional well-being, while affecting real change. Though much about the future is uncertain, what is certain is change; local weather and global climate patterns will change, as will the thoughts and relationships of these youth, who will grow into adults and decision makers, inheriting and inhabiting the future birthed by those of us who came before. | 63 Y O U T H A N D C L I M A T E C H A N G E 2 0 1 8 E D I T I O N

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