Climate change inherently presents an intergenerational challenge, carrying profound equity implications between and among the current and future generations.
In an era when many global leaders and decision-makers remain mired in debates concerning the validity of climate change, the youth have consistently demonstrated their dedication to concrete action over empty promises. Confronted by an uncertain future and the increasingly palpable effects of climate change in their daily lives, youth activists and groups are weaving together personal experiences and local perspectives with the principles of climate science to drive climate action.
Asking the important questions: The Youth and Climate Change Lawsuits
In recent years, the climate ambitions outlined by countries have often exhibited limited or sluggish follow-through, even when the pledged actions fall short of the scale required to address the climate crisis effectively. With the growing awareness and concerns about climate change, citizens, communities, non-governmental organisations, and sub-national governments are pursuing legal avenues to compel their governments to uphold their climate-related rights and responsibilities. This push involves broadening and aligning climate considerations within existing environmental, energy and natural resources legislation, advocating for increased climate disclosures, enforcing corporate liability, establishing fair compensation norms, and at the very least, honouring existing climate commitments.
The youth are both leveraging and adding to this body of legal precedents to rally for climate mitigation and adaptation.
In 2019, 900 Dutch citizens, under the auspices of the NGO Urgenda Foundation, took their government to court to adopt more ambitious emission reduction targets. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2007 report stated that developed countries would have to reduce their emissions in 2020 by 25-40 percent and in 2050 by 80-95 percent, compared to 1990, to limit global warming to a maximum of 2°C. Until 2011, the Dutch government was officially working towards an emissions reduction of 30 percent by 2020 (from 1990 levels). After 2011, they readjusted the target to 20 percent (from 1990 levels) to match the European Union’s 2020 Climate and Energy Package targets without explaining why the reduction was sufficient to meet the subsequent 2050 targets. For the first time, a national court affirmed the government’s legal obligation to safeguard its population against climate change. It further stated that while climate change is a global problem, its solutions must be implemented domestically; all states must take adequate and appropriate measures to reduce their emissions in keeping with their international obligations.
Similarly, calling for domestic law to reflect and be interpreted in accordance with international obligations concerning climate change, Ridhima Pandey, a nine-year-old from India, lodged a formal case with the National Green Tribunal in 2017. The petition asserted that the term ‘environment’, in the context of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, should be read expansively to include the climate. If the climate is part of the environment, Pandey pleaded, this meant that various stakeholders should take several precautionary measures —such as, but not limited to, the inclusion of climate considerations in environmental impact assessments, the creation of a national emissions inventory, and implementing a national carbon budget to measure project proposals against. While the Tribunal dismissed the petition, it affirmed that climate change is necessarily a component of environmental impact assessments.
Various legal frameworks already offer crucial safeguards for holding those responsible for climate change accountable. However, invoking human rights principles has emerged as the most prominent line of argumentation in court decisions to date. This assertion is particularly evident in the case of Ali v. Federation of Pakistan. In 2016, a seven-year-old from Karachi filed a lawsuit against the Federation of Pakistan and the Province of Sindh in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. While the petition raised concerns regarding numerous actions and oversights by the government, its primary focus centres on the endorsement of coalfield development in the Thar Desert region. This proposed plan, if executed, would catapult Pakistan’s coal production from 4.5 to an astounding 60 million metric tons annually, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions nearly 1000 times the initial estimates. Beyond the escalation of air pollution, the petition highlighted that the coalfield would trigger environmental degradation, worsen water quality, and displace local inhabitants. Ali argued that the expansion of coalfields would not only intensify the fragility of the climate system but also infringe upon citizens’ constitutional entitlements, including the rights to life, liberty, dignity, information, and equal protection under the law. She contended that the right to life inherently encompasses an “indisputable entitlement to a stable climate system,” one devoid of perilous levels of CO2.
While the case awaits a hearing, it has found reinforcement in a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This ruling acknowledges the responsibility of courts in reducing the effects of climate change for our generation and for the generations to come:
“The tragedy is that tomorrow’s generations aren’t here to challenge this pillaging of their inheritance. The great silent majority of future generations is rendered powerless and needs a voice. This Court should be mindful that its decisions also adjudicate upon the rights of the future generations of this country.
(…)
To us (the Court), there is no conflict between environmental protection and development because our answer would be sustainable development. Sustainable development means development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, and it is in step with our constitutional values of social and economic justice.”
The youth of today is also using current legal avenues to safeguard the rights of future generations and advocate for intergenerational climate justice. In 2018, a monumental case unfolded involving 25 individuals aged 7 to 25, who sued the Colombian government and corporations. They asserted their rights to a healthy environment, life, health, food, and water. They argued for their future by pointing out that during their adulthood (between 2014 and 2071), Colombia’s temperature was predicted to rise by 1.6°C to 2.14°C.
Notably, the court pronounced that the environmental rights of future generations are rooted in two primary principles:
i) Ethical duty of the solidarity of species: Natural resources are a shared inheritance of the present and future generations. As these resources become increasingly scarce, equitable and careful resource management is crucial to ensure essential life necessities are available for the future.
ii) Intrinsic value of nature: Nature has its own value beyond satisfying human wants. Adopting an ‘ecocentric-anthropic’ approach places humans on equal footing with the broader environmental ecosystem. This principle seeks to prevent exploitative and irresponsible treatment of environmental resources for short-term materialistic gains. By honoring and preserving nature, this perspective underscores the necessity of aligning human actions to avoid disrupting the environmental balance.
While these cases illustrate progress in climate litigation, they remain exceptions rather than the rule. Most climate-related cases are still awaiting review, have encountered delays, or have been dismissed based on their merits. However, these setbacks have not discouraged civil society’s determination. Notably, climate-related cases have more than doubled between 2017 and 2022. About 17 percent of these cases are now emerging in developing countries across various levels – from international and regional courts to national courts, tribunals, quasi-judicial entities, and other adjudicatory bodies, including UN special procedures and arbitration tribunals.
Climate litigation’s mounting frequency and scope contribute to establishing a growing body of legal precedent, solidifying a progressively well-defined realm of legal practice.
From Words to Waves: Communicating Climate Science and Politics
Since the first signs mentioning ‘Skolstrejk för klimatet’ were held in front of the Swedish parliament, the Fridays For Future movement brought millions of people, predominantly led by the youth, to the streets for what became the largest global climate marches in history.
At the core of this activism lies the bedrock of ‘rock-solid’ scientific evidence detailing the undeniable reality of climate change and its far-reaching repercussions. This scientific foundation unequivocally highlights efforts our society should make to maintain the planet’s habitability. Scientific reports, brimming with insights, stand as guiding pillars, bolstering the advocacy voices.
Despite governmental inertia in achieving mitigation targets, a resilient spirit of hope perseveres. This optimism fuels innovative responses to bring to light and address various facets of the climate crisis. In this article, we showcase a few of our favorites.
Directed by Slater Jewell-Kemker, Youth Unstoppable chronicles the evolution of youth advocacy, tracing its origins from the inaugural Youth Summit for the Environment in Kobe in 2008 to the climate demonstrations that swept across many cities in 2019. The film captures the sentiments that have inspired an entire generation to take control of the planet’s future and their own.
Apart from the compelling narrative of their advocacy, whether through street protests or face-to-face interactions with world leaders, the documentary sheds light on the wide range of initiatives undertaken by global youth. This spectrum extends from serving as advisors in international forums to actively participating in local adaptation projects and ingeniously raising awareness about the multifaceted impacts of climate change.
Art stands as a pivotal channel for expressing climate advocacy. The far-reaching impact of documentaries and films made even more accessible through streaming platforms and niche outlets like Waterbear.com, is being adeptly harnessed to inform, evoke emotions, and engage a broader audience. A vivid case in point is The Condor and the Eagle, directed by Sophie and Clément Guerra, It offers a poignant portrayal of climate change’s impact on indigenous communities and the spirited efforts of young activists to confront these challenges.
Exploring a range of disciplines, Catherine Sarah Young’s inventive artworks navigate through numerous aspects of the environmental crisis. Notably, her creation An Olfactory Portrait of the Amazon Rainforest awakens senses by capturing the fragrances of Earth’s largest forested area. A part of ‘The Ephemeral Marvels Perfume Stores’ project, this piece is a testament to her unique approach, which includes a line of scents under threat of extinction.
Eric Marky, a member of Brazil’s Terena People, embodies the fusion of heritage and innovation. In addition to co-founding Mídia Índia, an indigenous news agency, he extends his influence through music adeptly blending traditional melodies with electronic beats. Through collaborations with indigenous vocalists, he has created poignant songs that spotlight the struggles of his people.
Some young thinkers have embarked on a quest to confront the psychological toll of climate change. Bearing witness to natural disasters, the erosion of biodiversity, and alarming scientific reports, all while political action for tackling global warming remains inadequate can lead to a profound fear known as eco-anxiety. This anxiety is intensified by the perception that Earth’s health is crumbling beneath our feet and slipping through our fingers.
In September 2021, multiple universities surveyed 10,000 young people from 10 countries, revealing that 56 percent felt “the future was doomed.” Another study by the NGO Forces of Nature, founded by Clover Hogan, found that 70 percent of participants experienced hopelessness when contemplating climate change. Hogan, a trailblazer, advocates for addressing mental health issues arising from the environmental crisis. She established Forces of Nature to help channel anxiety and anger into constructive action. The organisation serves as a space for youth to voice their concerns, while also offering teacher training to facilitate better climate education and advising businesses on sustainability.
Hong Kong activist Tori Tsui uses the power of words, fashioning a guide to navigate eco-anxiety by advocating for varied viewpoints and community-driven approaches. Through her book, ‘It’s not just you,’ she delves into the subject, uncovering that eco-anxiety is not merely prompted by the planet’s condition, but by the entwined nature of climate concerns with larger societal inequities such as sexism and racism.
Addressing mental health issues and promoting awareness necessitates bridging the education gap regarding the environmental crisis. Two young scientists from Cambridge University founded ClimateScience, the world’s largest climate education platform. The organisation offers free educational resources, courses, videos, and tools to enhance climate literacy. They aim to empower individuals to combat climate change by providing easily accessible, scientifically accurate information.
A seat at the table: UN Youth Envoy and consultation groups
Recognising the pivotal influence of young voices in shaping and driving climate action, the United Nations has proactively engaged with the youth globally. This commitment is realised by establishing two crucial mechanisms: The UN Youth Envoy and The Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change.
Functioning as a dedicated advocate for the rights and well-being of young individuals, the UN Youth Envoy collaborates closely with UN Member States, civil society organisations, and youth communities. This role encompasses fostering youth participation in climate action while ensuring that the UN’s climate policies and initiatives comprehensively address the specific needs and concerns of the younger generation.
Concurrently, the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change unites seven exceptional young climate leaders from diverse regions around the world. Entrusted with advising the UN Secretary-General, their responsibilities encompass providing insights on youth engagement, advocating for youth-led and youth-centred climate action, and optimising the effectiveness of the UN’s climate policies to cater to the distinct requirements of young individuals.
Both mechanisms amplify youth voices within the UN’s climate change plans. Their primary objective is to collect invaluable perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities that young people encounter in the context of climate change. Furthermore, these mechanisms ensure that the UN’s strategies remain adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of the younger generation.
The UN Youth Envoy Delivers International Youth Day Message 2023.
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