The #IWill4Nature campaign has called on Scottish councils to ensure that young people play a meaningful role in tackling the climate crisis
Youth campaigners have called on Scottish councils to ensure that young people play a meaningful role in making important decisions about how to tackle the current environmental crisis.
The #IWill4Nature climate campaign asks each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities to pledge to host a special Environment Committee in 2020 where young people and local politicians can work together on policy to reduce waste and pollution at local level. The campaign will run throughout the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.
The #IWill Scotland Youth Ambassadors also unveiled a new Scottish youth tartan – entitled PowerOfYouth - to celebrate the strength and power of young people’s voices. The colours for the tartan were chosen by the #IWill activists to reflect the colours of Scotland’s natural heritage.
The ambassadors were supported by members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, who are also making climate change the focus of their campaigning.
Campaign ambassador Abby Lang, 19, said: “The future of our planet hangs in the balance. Young people across the world have banded together to call for government action in addressing climate change and safeguarding nature. It is vital our youth voice is represented.”
Another youth activist, Charlotte Donaldson, also 19, believes politicians need young people to be part of the solution if they serious about protecting our environment. She said: “I feel it’s important for young passionate people to have a voice in environmental decision platforms as young people have skills and creativity to provide an invaluable perspective that policy makers sometimes lack.”
Co-ordinator of #IWill Scotland, Jenni Snell added: “Young people’s voices have without doubt been the loudest in speaking up for the future of our planet. It should go without saying that those same voices are included in Scotland’s future environmental decisions. Through #IWill4Nature young people are calling on all of society to meaningfully listen to their voices and support them to take action.”
Recent statistics from the Scottish Household Survey show that the greatest increase in concern around climate change and the environment is among adults aged 16-24, rising from 38% in 2013 to 67% in 2018.
