GCA CEO’s Statement on International Youth Day
O
n International Youth Day 2022, I recognize the critical role that young people play in adapting our world to the impacts of the climate emergency. Climate change is threatening the future of our youth. Young people did not cause the climate crisis but they will be forced to confront its consequences.
The latest findings of the IPCC show that even with global warming limited to 1.5°C, the world faces unavoidable climate hazards over the next two decades. As a result of climate change, deadly hurricanes are projected to become more frequent in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region also afflicted by widespread drought. The unprecedented heatwaves across Europe and the United States, floods in Asia, and droughts in East Africa this summer sound a loud warning bell of what is to come, with young people in poorer countries among those most vulnerable. Therefore, redoubled efforts to meet the Paris Agreement targets must be matched with accelerated support to prepare and respond to impacts now unavoidable.
It would be easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge ahead, but whenever I speak to young people on climate change I am always energized by their positivity, innovative ideas, and commitment. Young people are already at the forefront of raising awareness globally of the climate emergency, holding politicians and policymakers to account. Young people across the globe are also leading the way in creating and delivering the solutions that will protect lives and livelihoods and build a sustainable future. Making the case and making a difference in communities all around the world – young people are leading the way and showing what is possible.
Today, the world is home to the largest generation of youth in history, with 1.8 billion young people worldwide. Our youth will inherit a world with a climate radically different to that of their parents and grandparents. This will require radical new thinking on how we build our cities, farm our food, and live alongside nature. With the youth population in some developing countries set to increase by as much as 62%, it is imperative that young people are at the heart of the world’s effort to adapt to climate change.
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is proud to have youth leadership as a core focus of our work. Through the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), a program that we seek to replicate in Latin America and other parts of the world, we are helping to create new adaptation jobs and supporting youth-led businesses that are scaling innovative solutions to the impacts of climate change. And our YouthADAPT Challenge has provided crucial business incubation skills and funding to innovative youth-led businesses, allowing them to recruit more staff and scale their impact.
To showcase and celebrate the power of young people to drive the adaptation agenda, in Costa Rica today, GCA is convening the Latin American and Caribbean Youth Adaptation Forum on this International Youth Day. Concluding a series of consultations around the world, led by my Youth Advisory Panel, these global dialogues have brought together youth leaders and policymakers on how to deliver the Paris Agreement and create a climate-resilient world.
As a father, I recognize the debt my generation is burdening upon the next and I also recognize that this burden will not be felt equally by all young people around the world.
On International Youth Day, I am humbled to pay tribute to the inspiring and pioneering young people around the world who are seizing the opportunity to combat climate change. And I call upon all decision-makers to join GCA in supporting efforts to increase finance for climate adaptation and resilience building, creating adaptation jobs, and involving young people in the decisions that will fundamentally shape their lives.
Let us seize this opportunity on International Youth Day to secure a safer, greener, and more prosperous future for all today.
