OPINION: THE ROLE OF THE YOUTHS IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT BY CHOOSING THE RIGHT LEADERS
As a farmer, I am a victim of loss and damage, and as a Climate Change activist, I know that thousands of youths are also victims. I always ask myself this question; are we doing enough to proffer solutions to these issues?
Typically when people assume something harmful is about to happen, they take action. Think about Prophet Noah; he built an Ark when he learnt that the world was to be destroyed by a flood imminently.
Global temperatures keep rising as days pass, and the major problem is Climate Action Failure. Yet we do very little to address this. The solution is easy and requires all of us to do what we can.
Every blessed year in my country Nigeria, particularly my dear state Jigawa, thousands of households lose their means of livelihood. As a result of our actions and inaction towards the environment, diseases are spreading, and women and children are left vulnerable to social vices. Children become orphans at an early age due to the devastating effect of floods. Food production keeps declining, and the government spends money to rehabilitate properties damaged by these disasters.
We can only address food insecurity, famine, hunger, floods, and desertification if we are ready to halt Climate Change by prioritizing Climate Action.
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I was pained when I realized that the people in power lack knowledge of the impact of climate change on the community and do not listen to our cries, therefore, not committed to bringing an end to this global crisis.
However, we need to accept this sad reality, given that we have Climate Skeptics in saner climes that think Environmental Education puts children ahead of their parents. They believe that the children will know more than their parents and will think their parents are stupid to ruin the earth. This assertion is baseless and very far from the truth. Environmental Education will only produce a more enlightened generation.
We must not lose hope because hope is everything, and change is possible. Previously, our agitations about Climate Action and sustainability might not have been heard. However, I am optimistic that today there can be an action, taken by the right leaders.
I believe that as youths if we want to change things and impact positively on marginalized people/communities and the whole system, we need to venture into politics. In doing that, we can contribute easily. There is always so much more we can do, and the little things we do matter. The youths are vital and have what it takes to make things right.
Let’s put all hands on deck and give our mandate to those who deserve it. We should go for the best, that way, we can preserve our environment. I assure you we will have a sustainable future.
Written by Abdulmajid Abubakar
