Earth Today | Calling all young champions of the earth

WITH THE world hard-pressed to outpace the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution, there is a clear effort by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to celebrate and incentivise youth actions to solve conservation woes.

The entity, supported by partners, has issued the latest call for young people to put their hat in the ring for the honour of being named a Young Champion of the Earth, a prestigious competition that recognises and rewards environmental leadership and innovation.

According to the UNEP, each winner will have the chance to grow their skills and business, including receiving US$10,000; in addition to benefitting from mentorship, workshops and access to a worldwide community of environmental experts. They will also have the chance to grow their network and to “gain publicity and global recognition through interviews, speaking engagements and international media coverage”.

Awardees will also compete in a pitch competition for the up to US$100,000 Planet A grant. Planet A is a storytelling platform that brings stakeholders together, creators and experts alike, and fosters action that is favourable to the future of the planet.

A recent report from the Capgemini Research Institute, done in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Generation Unlimited, points to the value of youth involvement in, for example, actions to remedy climate change.

“ Youth want to be part of the solution. Most youth in both the Global North and South believe that business and political leaders must act more decisively to address climate change. Seven in 10 believe that young people should be able to influence environmental policy, but less than half (47%) feel that adults in their communities listen to and consider their views,” said the report titled Youth perspectives on climate: preparing for a sustainable future.

Youth, the report insisted, must be allowed to participate and to make their contribution for the benefit of all.

“ As of 2024, there were over 1.2 billion people aged 16 to 24 in the world, or 15% of the global population. This generation represents a decisive force for addressing the climate crisis. With climate change accelerating, this generation will be significantly impacted over their lives as children and young people are more vulnerable to climate and environmental shocks than adults. The global youth population, therefore, must have a voice in shaping future climate policy. Meaningful collaboration with youth must happen,” it noted.

Meanwhile, to become a Young Champion of the Earth, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years by the end of this calendar year, and have at least six months of experience working on their environmental project.

“ Individuals who submitted applications in previous cycles of the competition are entitled to do so again. However, only one entry is allowed per person per year,” the UNEP noted via its website.

“ UNEP, Planet A and any other sponsors of the Award will not seek to derive any commercial or economic benefit from the ideas or inventions included in any of the Award applications, whether such ideas or inventions have been presented by winners or by non-winners,” it added.

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