Youth residents of Manila eagerly await the Earth Hour countdown at Kartilya ng Katipunan in Ermita, Manila.  This event aims to remind us of our accountability in reducing our ecological footprint. 
Photo by Albert Alcain.
 

Amid the ecological challenges confronting our planet today, the crucial role of young people as agents of change is clear. They are the ones who lead the way toward a brighter future and push for transformative change by utilizing innovative tools such as digital platforms.

But who are the youth? The United Nations (UN) defines youth as individuals between the ages of 15 and 24. They play an indispensable role in climate action, as their dynamism and fresh perspectives drive meaningful change and progress toward a more sustainable future. With 1.6 billion youth – which accounts for 16 percent of the global population – this demographic makes it more possible to mobilize for climate action. 

The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that there are 29.8 million Filipino youth as of 2024. They are among the most vulnerable to climate-induced hazards, such as extreme weather events, ecosystem degradation, and rising sea levels. Recognizing this, the National Adaptation Plan 2023-2050 emphasizes equal and equitable protection of youth and other vulnerable populations, highlighting the importance to strenghten their adaptive capacities.

To address today’s global challenges needs the energy and innovative strategies of youth to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With pressing issues such as climate change, the youth must step up and play an active role, particularly in SDG 13: Climate Action.

The SDGs are a set of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals are designed to ensure economic growth and prosperity by 2030 and call for urgent action from all nations—whether developed or developing—to contribute to a comprehensive transformation and unified action in the areas of SDGs.

These goals aim to address pressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, peace, justice, ecological degradation, and climate change. The SDGs seek to create a more  sustainable world through transformative actions that lift people out of poverty, promote equality, and foster global cooperation and collective action. 

The youth can contribute significantly through community engagement, advocacy, spreading awareness via social media platforms, and utilizing digital tools to advance our future.

Digital transformation is a key aspect of achieving sustainability. The advancement of technologies, coupled with the ability of young people to leverage the digital platforms, has  catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs. Technologies such as mobile devices and artificial intelligence (AI) software are crucial to address the challenges that our ecosystems face. With real-time data, we can monitor and observe the ecological factors that impact our daily lives.

Furthermore, digital platforms enable young people to connect, collaborate and mobilize, which creates a broader network that enhances their climate action efforts and promotes sustainability.

These movements inspire climate action initiatives not only among their peers but across other sectors, including the private sector and governmental bodies. 

As we celebrate World International Youth Day today with the theme “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” let us recognize the critical role of youth in addressing global challenges and driving sustainable practices. This theme highlights the essential role of digital innovation to address universal concerns. 

International Youth Day, commemorated every August 12th, was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 through Resolution 54/120. The resolution emphasizes the importance of youth participation in building a better world and highlights their role in sustainable development and addressing global challenges.

For more information on the CCC’s climate mainstreaming activities, visit www.climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.