In recent years, the world has become more aware of the consequences of climate change. Countries, politicians, and governing bodies all have the issue on their agenda now and it is frequently discussed in parliaments, the media, and online forums.

Often it may seem that we, young people at the start of our career or journey towards adulthood and influence, have little say in what goes on in politics. However, when it comes to climate activism, young people were (and are) very much at the forefront of creating and maintaining the agenda.

The effects of climate change have been known to scientists across the world for years and many of them have expressed their warnings for decades. But the climate activism that has swept the world in recent years – the activism that has put the issue on to the agenda of governments and countries across the globe – started with young people protesting in the streets.
 

Fridays for Future: “No one is too small to make a difference.”
 

In 2018, 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a school strike for climate. First, she was alone, then joined by a few others in Sweden. Then by creating the #FridaysForFuture hashtag on social media, millions of other young people took to the streets and the Fridays for Future initiative was born.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“We will see the change, we will see the oceans rising, we will see the ice caps melting. Our parents probably will not, our grandparents not, it’s us in a completely different world. Like they said- every generation will live in a worse earth, so it’s our job to make sure that that doesn’t happen or at least just extend the time a little bit.”
 

COY16: “We will see a different future”
 

“Well, I think youth, we are in a very specific position because of time and space right now, ” says Julieta – a volunteer for the COY16 conference happening at Strathclyde later this year. She added: “The youth will inherit every decision or inaction that is currently taking place. We know what is going to happen to us if we don’t act, right now. So that is why it’s so important for the youth to get involved – because we will see a different future. 

“We will see the change, we will see the oceans rising, we will see the ice caps melting. Our parents probably will not, our grandparents not, it’s us in a completely different world. Like they said- every generation will live in a worse earth, so it’s our job to make sure that that doesn’t happen or at least just extend the time a little bit.”

How to get involved:
 

There are several ways in which you could get involved with climate activism here at Strathclyde. There is a Mock COP conference happening at the end of October as well as a Climate Action group.

If you would like to get involved with COY16, you can find any updates regarding the event on the COY16 Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.

You can also find out more information about everything that is happening around Strath Union and Strathclyde University during COY and COP26 on our website.

Looking for recommendations on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle? Check out our zero-waste shop Re:Store.