Youth environmental activists have been urged to be advocates for action, people, and the planet, over the next 50 years.
Minister of Environment and National Beautification Adrian Forde made the call on Tuesday as he delivered opening remarks at the Stockholm +50 Barbados Youth Consultation, themed Youth Agenda for an Environmentally Resilient Future, at the Barbados Hilton.
Forde told the young participants that they have the power to engage leaders to ensure that actions are taken commensurate with the challenges being faced.
He said the information provided will inform the Barbados national report to the Stockholm +50 conference in Sweden from June 2 to 3.
Forde added that the consultation will also serve as a valuable input to the upcoming national youth policy development process.
“You, the youth, are the present and future generations of our society. As such, you have the power to be influencers of change in your community, in the nation, in the region, and in the world.
“I want you to share how best we can communicate and share information with you, and what you will do to communicate and share environmental knowledge with your peers.
“Importantly, Stockholm +50 also presents a reflection point for environmental education. What new programmes and products are needed to make sense for your generation?” he said.
The consultation was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification.
Forde also appealed to the UNDP and UNICEF to collaborate with the government and youth institutions in building a series of local legacy initiatives based on the ideas and passion arising from the consultations.
Youth advocate Khalil Kothdiwala, who also delivered remarks at the consultation, stressed that it is important for the message about climate change to be communicated to the vulnerable in society, including persons on the block, single mothers, and low-income earners.
Kothdiwala said it is those persons who will be significantly impacted by climate change, as was the case when Hurricane Elsa destroyed or damaged several houses across the island when it passed in 2021.
“If we are saying that those are the persons, the vulnerable, who are going to be the most affected, we have to bring them along, too, in the conversation. We have to ensure that we are speaking to them in a way that ensures that they are also able to take environmental action,” he said.
(AH)
