Youth for Climate: Voices for Change

“We need young people everywhere to keep raising your voices” the UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres summarized succinctly in his message to the youth on climate change in the pre-COP youth event in September of this year. His speech highlighted that through their solidarity and demands for action, the youth have the ability to set a powerful example.

Leading by such an example are the first-place winners of the UNDP Bhutan Youth for Climate Video Challenge-- the College of Science and Technology (CST) at Phuentsholing. Their dynamic and informative video showcased how their campus is creating innovative solutions to help address climate change. One member of the CST Youth for Climate team is bright and hard-working twenty-year-old Tshering Euden, a third-year architecture student who can be seen in the winning submission describing how CST is trying to do their part in raising climate change awareness,

“I was first aware of climate change as a child when my eyes were glued to the television watching wildlife documentaries.  In one such documentary, they filmed the beautiful and majestic ‘Green Sea Turtles’. However, I soon was saddened to learn they were an endangered species due to the loss of habitat caused by coastal development and climate change. At this young age, I already saw the devastating and real impact of climate change, how it threatens such beauty in our natural world. Even today I worry about how one day in the near future we won’t be able to see this magnificent animal. Whether in Bhutan or the world, responding to climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today” reflected Euden.

Leading up to COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, on in August 12th of this year, marked by International Youth Day -- Bhutan saw the fourth seminar of the climate series ‘Raising Climate Ambition: Voices of Bhutan’. Jointly organized by UNDP Bhutan, National Environment Commission (NEC), Bhutan Foundation, Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), WWF Bhutan, UNCDF Bhutan and Bhutan Ecological Society (BES), the series announced an open challenge to universities and colleges across Bhutan on the theme ‘Youth Matters: Voices and Action in Climate Change'. The challenge calls on students to creatively produce a video exhibiting their green initiatives undertaken by their campus to promote, advocate and mitigate climate change. In mobilizing the young minds of Bhutan, the challenge hoped to amplify awareness on the topic of climate change and facilitate discussions and innovative solutions. Through the heat and creative brainstorming, the seven dedicated members of the CST Youth for Climate team worked tirelessly for a three-day shoot to produce the winning video,

“I was excited to take part in the video and though my red-cheeks showed the heat, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the team which encouraged me to give it my all. The team inspired me with their dedication to create a video best representing our college and how seriously they took this challenge. Without the collaborative efforts and creative energy of the teammates Divyash Chhetri, Suzal Wakhley, Tshering Wangchen, Dawa Gyeltshen Phuntsho Tobden and Darshan Subedi, the video would not have been the same. I welcome everyone to please check out the fruits of our labour with the video published on the UNDP Bhutan Facebook page as well as the CST YouTube page” beamed Euden.

Opening with clear and sweeping footage of the beautiful green campus of the College of Science and Technology, the video showcases the key ways that CST is nurturing young innovators to be involved with the dialogue on climate change. While the narrator conveys the central message of their “pledge to contribute in [their] own small ways to help tackle the issue of climate change”, Euden herself steps into the scene eloquently describing the different ways that CST is harnessing technology to create innovative solutions for climate change. These include but are not limited to solar cookers, solar water heaters, waste segregation, solar panels and the unique solar-powered vehicle,

“My college in its own humble way, through technology and innovation, is trying its best to reduce the carbon footprint and we hope through our video to capture these efforts. Through this experience, I have gained more awareness about climate change and remain inspired by the determination of our college in proactively fighting it. While attending the award ceremony during the last day of the climate change series, it was moving to hear each speaker enthusiastically pledge their own goals in contributing towards meeting the challenges of climate change. While being proud that CST and our team won, the true reward was being part of the project and the team” enthused Euden.

Despite the ongoing global pandemic, with Euden’s classes being online and worries of being away from family, she pushes forward with her architectural studies. Dedicated to the pursuit of her future as a conscientious architect to design sustainable, green buildings which can reduce heating and air conditioning effects and regenerate local biodiversity. The pandemic has not diminished her passion but rather ignited them and her taking part in such a challenge is ample proof of that.  

“Climate change is a global responsibility and there is a need to take immediate action, no matter how small it is. Whether you are a speaker or listener, it is not the time to sit idly by, we must all stand up against climate change and its impact on our earth. Being part of the younger generation, we will witness the greatest impact of climate change in our shared future. Even those younger than us will have to pay the price if we continue to neglect our duties to work against climate change. This makes it extremely important for my peers and the youth to not only be aware of climate change but actively combat it and participate in conservation efforts. I would encourage all the young readers out there that you are never too young to learn about climate change and take part—it is your planet too and it's definitely worth fighting for” smiled Euden.

Euden seems to encourage us all, especially the youth to believe in local action to address climate change as there is no ‘Planet B’.

Article contributed by Jetsuen Wangmo for the UN/JICA We Care We Share Initiative