Five tips for Youth to engage in Ocean-Climate Policy

Written by: Sonia Violante Ptasznik

According to the United Nations, youth make up 16% of the global population, a percentage expected to grow to 7% by 2030. This data highlights the influence of youth in politics, especially considering the 2030 Agenda, which requires considering young people in all goals and targets as key agents of change. On the other hand, it’s qualified as a recent debate, with the UN launching the “Be Seen, Be Heard” campaign only in 2022, aiming to create long-term structural changes that foster the inclusion of youth in decision-making.

In this context, youth participation in politics is still rising, especially in major events like Conference of the Parties (COP), with the youth constituency of UNFCCC (YOUNGO) Established in 2009 under provisional status and formally confirmed in 2011 during COP17, and the UNFCCC Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) being launched at the COP28, in 2023. This recent achievement focuses on mobilizing children, teenagers and youth in the fight against climate change, representing their voice to enhance attention to the youth cause.

The PYCC is a game changer for youth inclusion, a milestone that will guarantee political engagement related to our own future and enable the next generation to be the central part of the discussion. This year, the global youth will be represented by Marcele Oliveira, a young brazilian woman who is mobilizing efforts to make sure all voices are going to be heard at COP30.

Opening plenary during 3º UN Ocean Conference

But even though these actions are gaining space in the global political landscape, how close are they to the general public? A survey conducted in June this year showed that over 70% of Brazilians had never heard of COP30 — a number that highlights how disconnected society still is from climate discussions. Sadly, it isn’t any different among young people, since youth participation is only starting to gain ground.

That’s why our voices matter so much: the future depends on us, and we must keep pushing to be equipped to truly take part in these spaces. The tide is turning, and together we are stronger. As a team, we can swim against the current and change the course of history – because it’s our future at stake, and we are the ones who will live with the consequences of today’s decisions.

If you are an enthusiast in the ocean and climate cause just like me, here are some pro tips on how to leverage your actions and become part of the solution:

1. Work with passion

Being a youth activist is often hard, especially in a growing field where our importance is still being knowledge, so passion is one of the key elements to success and showing your voice to the world. Just like any other work, some days can be exhaustive, but when you do what you love and believe it becomes easier and meaningful. Think about what makes you happy and how you can use it to promote a more sustainable future.

In my case, I’ve always been passionate about marine biodiversity and art, but for a long time I didn’t know it was possible to combine both, considering it just a hobby. Now, my work routine consists in understanding how art can help raise awareness to include my community in the protection of marine species, which makes me happier everyday!

2. Make it accessible

Even though protecting the ocean is fundamental to fight climate change, most of the public don’t have access to that information or don’t understand how it relates to their daily lives. Quoting Jacques-Yves Cousteau, “We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.”, accessibility is key to becoming a good young activist.

How will you demand for someone who has millions of worries a day to spare some time to protect our future? Most of the people have enough problems to worry about in the present, and we can’t be a burden to them, or else we won’t achieve what we want. Being a youth activist means embracing different realities and working with them as your allies, using the power of storytelling to engage various communities in the same cause.

3. Listen carefully

Listening is, without any doubts, one of the most important steps in your journey as a youth activist. To leverage your actions, you will need to get out of your comfort zone and work with other cultures and communities that may have different opinions and traditions than you. In this case, instead of trying to force your reality, listen carefully and understand their point of view. By simply listening, you will expand your vision and promote a more inclusive environment, which will equip you with more credibility and trust.

One of the pillars of activism is respect, and you won’t engage your public by throwing tons of information that doesn’t relate to their lives. When you take some time to listen instead of talk, you have the opportunity to think of solutions considering all the aspects of the problem.

4. We are stronger together

Whether you like it or not, it needs to be said: you can’t do everything on your own!

We are fighting for a cause way bigger than us, and it doesn’t matter how hard we work, we won’t make any longterm impact if we don’t share our knowledge and peer up with the community. As a youth activist, you will realize that teamwork is the answer to several problems, since a diverse group combines several perspectives to promote the most inclusive and equitable solution.

A powerful example of teamwork in climate policy is the “Mutirão das Juventudes”, a youth-led initiative that aims to connect young people all around the globe to integrate the official COP30 Agenda. By collecting perspectives from different cultures and backgrounds, we ensure that all voices are heard, enriching discussions and driving real solutions for problems often marginalized.

5. Use and abuse of technology

Our generation grew up with technology all over us, and we need to use it in our favor. Is there an easiest way to spread awareness all around the world that is not with social media? Your voice needs to be heard to engage more youth to the cause, and technology will be your biggest ally. Make it fun, accessible and feasible, showing that everyone can be an activist and help promote a more sustainable future for the next generation.

We can’t all be in major conferences like COP or fully integrate the decision-making table, but we can share our voices in social media and make enough noise to disturb the traditional and outdated system.

Overall, every young person has the potential to become an activist, we just need a little push to spread the word and make it a trend. As we move toward COP30 and beyond, let’s make it the moment when youth turn hope into action and inclusion into change. Whether through actively raising our voice in climate conferences or on your phones, we can all make a difference!

If we don’t fight for our future, no one will. Together, we will demand more youth inclusion and promote justice for the planet and ocean we want. Take action now – join youth-led movements like the “Mutirão das Juventudes” raise your voice, and show the world the power of young people united for change. Your story can inspire others to act – and together, we can turn ideas into reality!

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This is a guest blog and may not necessarily represent the views of other RISE UP network members or RISE UP as a whole. It is only through open dialogue and a diversity of ideas that we will arrive at the solutions necessary to restore Ocean health.

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