Youth are the agents of change
December 14- Scouts attended one of the many high level youth briefings that occur throughout the duration of the Conference. This 30-minute event provided an opportunity for Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] to make a short intervention to discuss the linkages between climate science and COP 15 negotiations. His discussion relating to the processes of IPPC was followed by questions from youth in attendance.
In his introduction to the session, Dr Pachauri noted that while the Youth are those that will certainly inherit the problems of climate change, “it is effecting all of us today”; that if left unchecked, the “progressively serious” effects of climate change could eventually “threaten peace and stability of society.” He also stated that he “believes that if there is any section of the world's society that can bring about change it is the youth”.
In response to a question posed by a youth from singaporean delegate, Dr Pachauri stressed that over and above the amazing work done by the youth present at the conference, that the real changes would need to be driven from the grass-roots level: “It is up to you [the youth] to go back home, spread the word and awareness and then we would see large results.” The youth present at the briefing were then urged to share their knowledge and raise awareness with others back home and regardless of the decisions and outcomes of this Conference, to continue raising awareness.
The message was clear – the youth are being taken seriously, diplomatic processes can and are being effected by our efforts; whatever it may be, the youth are part of the solution.
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