Advocacy for Change
Amplifying young voices to create meaningful change
We believe that young people have a unique and powerful role to play in climate advocacy. They are the ones who will inherit the planet, and they are the most passionate about protecting it. This is why we are committed to providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to become effective advocates for change.
Advocacy is crucial to the mandate of The Green Rising because it is one of the most effective ways to bring about systemic, policy-level change at scale. By speaking out and taking action, young people can and do make a difference in the fight towards climate resilience and a more sustainable future for all.
The Green Rising is working with young climate advocates in a variety of ways, including connecting them with each other, amplifying their voices, elevating their platforms, and brokering with decision-makers. We do that by:
- Providing educational resources and training programs to help young people learn about climate change and how to advocate for change.
- Amplifying the voices of young climate advocates through our social media platforms and other communications channels.
- Supporting young people to organize and mobilize their communities around climate action.
- Connecting young advocates with decision-makers and stakeholders so that they can influence decisions.
Young advocates speak up to make a difference, influencing society and decision-makers toward positive change. Our advocacy efforts range from local school boards to international forums, working to ensure that young people's voices are heard and taken into account. The Green Rising supports young people's climate advocacy efforts to:
- Increase community awareness about climate change and environmental injustice.
- Influence policies that benefit all, such as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
- Hold decision-makers accountable.
How young advocates are making a difference
Ecuador: In Ecuador, UNICEF strengthened advocacy capacities of young climate change leaders and supported their first participation to technical workshops conducted by Ministry of Environment to formulate Ecuador's Second Nationally Determined Contributions" (NDC).
Mexico: A U-Report poll was launched in July 2023 to gather insights from young people in Mexico on how climate change affects their communities and their lives. With the support of Paramount, Google, Climate Reality, and the UN Interagency Network, young people, nationwide, were able to share their experiences of climate change and environmental damage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will take the poll data into account at COP28. Young people will also be announcing the findings at an event with Google and the results will be publicly available for everyone to use.
Kazakhstan: The #PlasticFreeKazakhstan initiative has instilled eco-conscious habits in over 30,000 children, fostering a reduction in plastic usage among children aged 7 to 10. Beyond their core activities of educating children about eco-friendly practices, volunteers have taken a proactive stance in promoting a plastic-free culture within schools and communities. The programme's youth volunteer base has more than doubled from 117 to 257 within a year.
