Youth activism is super important in the story of climate change efforts. Young people are making a big difference in how we talk about and tackle environmental issues.

1. Catalyst for Change:

   • A great example is the Fridays for Future movement, started by a Swedish girl named Greta Thunberg in 2018. This movement got millions of students to join together and protest for climate action. By September 2019, over 7.6 million people took part in climate strikes around the world!
   • Young activists are stressing how urgent it is to act on climate change. They use protests, social media, and public speaking to tell the world what needs to change.

2. Shifting Policy Focus:

   • Because of young activists, countries are changing their policies about climate change. At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the voices of youth led many governments to promise new goals to reduce carbon emissions. Over 130 countries said they would work toward net-zero emissions by 2050, thanks to the pressure from younger generations.
   • A 2021 survey showed that 61% of young adults aged 18-29 see climate change as a major threat. In comparison, only 46% of older adults, aged 50 and up, feel the same way. This shows how important climate action is to young people.

3. Innovative Strategies:

   • Young people are using social media to spread their messages. Campaigns like #ClimateStrike and #YouthForClimate are popular online. In 2020, about 4.2 billion people were using social media, which helps young activists reach lots of people quickly.
   • A key point from the Global Climate Strike is that 71% of the people taking part were under 30. This shows how influential and present young people are in environmental movements.

4. Engagement in Governance:

   • More and more, young activists are getting involved in politics. In many countries, young representatives are being invited to join important talks about climate policies. For example, over 100 school children have even taken legal action against their governments for not protecting the environment. This highlights how young people are pushing for accountability in leadership.

In short, youth activism is a vital part of the fight against climate change. Young voices are changing the environmental movement and making urgent action a priority.