TakingITGlobal

4. ROLE OF YOUTH "Everybody has a different experience with climate change; therefore, amplifying the voices of youth across the globe is vital. We do not define what the climate crisis is in another person's shoes. Instead, we need to create a network... in which each person has their reality acknowledged." Mariana, 15, Costa Rica. Youth Networks Despite many challenges, youth around the world choose to raise their voices and provide an action plan. We know, however, that a plan in one country will not meet the needs of another. As youth, we need to come together and support each other in our efforts to impact climate targets. We need global platforms and networks to celebrate the work we are doing, so that other students can read, learn, ask questions, and be inspired to make change in their own homes, schools, and cities. We, as youth, do not have the financial or structural means to make these networks and platforms happen. We need other stakeholders to come beside us and provide tangible methods to reach these goals and pave the way for us to express our views. We can support our fellow youth innovators and we can spread awareness. The global youth project #Decarbonize is an example of using education and youth action to form a network of like-minded and passionate youth. Through these school-based projects, we can share our community's unique issues and ideate solutions to common problems in order to support each other. Youth Role Models "Being a role model is being open, having integrity and empathy—showing other youth that they are not alone in this climate change fight, that there are many of us acting in every corner of the world." Sneha, 15, Canada. Being a role model is acknowledging and championing the work that other youth are doing in their country. Young people should grow up seeing that their voices matter, that they can make change NOW. They don't need to wait until they are older. One student, Alexis, 15, from New

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