A presentation made by Grace Mwaura on behalf of African youth, at the Ecological Society for Eastern Africa (ECSEA) conference on the 21st May 2010

1. African youth responses to
Climate Change

2.  62% -below 25 years of age.
 Youth- 15-24 years of age according to UN.
 2005 -2015 the youth population is expected to
grow by 36 M.
 2015- The youth labor force is expected to grow
by more than 22 M, to almost 135 M.
 These young people will demand education
and/or jobs.
 Challenge & Opportunity: Providing quality
education and productive employment
addressing climate change challenges

4.  The East African Economy is mainly dependent
on agriculture and tourism
 The above mentioned sectors get directly
affected by climate change. IPCC has estimated
up to 50% reduction in agriculture production
 The above sectors offer the youth employment
directly or indirectly
 Effects on these 2 sectors lead to effects on
other sectors like: education, health, water and
sanitation and infrastructure that youth rely on.

5. Opportunities: Challenges:
Finding solutions; Unemployment:
Advocating Education;
Change; Economic crisis;
Opportunity Conflicts; Social
Windows; Strive; Food
Support Systems insecurity

6. 1. Community level- Finding Solutions
 You don’t need money or power to have a good
idea; Only fresh thinking and ACTION is needed
to solve our societal problems.
▪ Innovative (Education, IT)
▪ Simple
▪ Energetic
▪ Have the time

8. 2. Nationally/Internationally-Advocating
Change
 Involvement in decision making processes
 Make Youth voices heard- pressure groups,
protests, Marches,
 Contacting political representatives e.g. MPs,
 Demand more action from the government

9.  Local Mitigation & Adaptation projects
 Research
 Awareness campaigns
 Capacity building & Training
 Information Sharing
 Nurturing leadership
 Individual/Collective Commitments & Action

10.  Mobilize & Empower youth to become change
agents
 Educate the youth & communities on
sustainable lifestyles.
 Facilitate & Engage youth and communities in
climate mitigation & adaptation projects.
 Participate and support the drafting of country
environmental/climate change policies.
 Ensure proper governance in the
implementation of climate change programmes

11. NURTURING LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATE

12.  Learning and sharing climate information
 IT- Emails; mailing lists; websites, blogs; social networks
 Documentation of youth best practices
 Films, blogs; media engagements; Campaigns
 Awareness creation:
 Conferences; Workshops; Seminars; consultative
meetings; etc.
 Networks & information sharing- The growing youth
movements around the world stands at over 2,000
members
 Working with governments, NGOs, CBOs, institutions
etc
 Research

13. CAMPAIGNS EDUCATION

14. Growing
Network
Energy & Commitment
Time & Passion
Networking Volunteerism
Knowledge &
Innovation
Skills

15. INNOVATIVE SIMPLE

16. Youth (and
children)
Community Governments
members
Businesses & Learning
Private sector Institutions
Organizations
(NGOs, CBOs,
IGOs, etc)

17.  The education system sparsely addresses
climate change challenges & solutions
 Capacity Gaps-Skills, Knowledge
 Research gaps-lack of support for extensive
research on youth & climate change in Africa
 Institutionalizing youth actions on climate
change
 Transition of the young professionals

18. The generation that causes environmental
damage is not the generation which pays
the price”
Professor Wangari Maathai