By Abbas Nazil
At the Climate Action and Sustainability Conference & Awards (CASCA’25), the “Yuva Samvaad: Youth Voices on Climate Action” panel delivered a compelling message: young people are not only aware of the climate crisis—they are actively driving solutions.
Organized by TheCSRUniverse and supported by the M3M Foundation and YBRANT, the event showcased the leadership of Gen Z in reframing the climate narrative.
Student leaders from Delhi University and 17-year-old climate advocate Teerdha Vunnam from Hyderabad brought powerful personal stories and policy ideas to the forefront, illustrating how youth engagement is essential for real change.
The session began with a symbolic question—“What is climate change in one word?”—eliciting responses such as “crisis,” “urgency,” and “interconnectedness,” highlighting both the anxiety and awareness this generation carries.
Ananya Gupta from Miranda House emphasized that while youth-led initiatives often remain scattered, platforms like CASCA’25 bring cohesion and collective strength to the climate movement.
Panelists stressed that climate change is not a distant issue, but one that deeply impacts their daily lives. Their discussions reflected a shift from passive concern to active responsibility.
Chiranjeev from Sri Venkateswara College recounted how a school-led seedball initiative in drought-prone Tamil Nadu evolved into a regional afforestation movement, producing over 5 million seedballs to aid water retention.
Teerdha shared how her “Ozone Run” campaign in Hyderabad mobilized 60,000 petitions for city sanitation improvements, proving that consistent local action can trigger institutional response.
Sustainability was also explored through the lens of livelihood and lifestyle. Nirmit Jain presented Project Daily Drip, which repurposes boutique fabric waste into eco-friendly tote bags, offering employment to underprivileged women.
Ananya spoke of her family’s home composting efforts, stressing that environmental responsibility must begin at the individual level.
The influence of social media on climate advocacy was another key topic. Ramit Mehta explained how platforms enable protest organization and global awareness, while panel moderator Deepali Raina reminded participants of the importance of real-world, offline engagement in spreading “climate wisdom.”
Concerns about over-reliance on technology were also raised, with Chiranjeev pointing out the water-intensive nature of AI and cloud computing.
When the conversation shifted to policy and careers, Nitya Tiwari expressed frustration at the underrepresentation of youth in policymaking despite forming nearly half of India’s population.
She and Nirmit called for clearer career pathways in sustainability and stronger policy frameworks such as carbon pricing and reparative justice.
Education emerged as a central theme, with several panelists proposing hands-on climate action as a regular part of school curricula.
Ramit suggested academic incentives for project-based climate solutions, moving beyond theoretical instruction.
The discussion ended on a hopeful note, as panelists shared words like “passion,” “purpose,” and “future” to describe what gives them hope.
Their optimism and resolve highlighted a powerful shift—from climate despair to determined action.
The Yuva Samvaad session affirmed that the youth are not waiting for permission to lead—they are already shaping the future of climate advocacy with bold ideas, grassroots actions, and unwavering commitment.
