NATIONAL YOUTH CLIMATE CHANGE SEMINAR -

NATIONAL YOUTH CLIMATE CHANGE SEMINAR -
Understanding Climate Change and What Youth Can Do.
Organised by WORLD BANK INSTITUTE on the 23rd of November, 2009 @ New Chelsea Hotel, 123 Cadastral Zone, Central Business District Abuja.
MINUTES
Introductions:
“Today, climate change is no longer a theory or a meteorological model that interests only a few people. In view of this reality, ensuring the participation of the greatest possible swath of the population – women, men, young people, boys and girls – in developed and less developed countries alike is not only a matter of social justice and respect for human rights in the present, but also one of great significance for future generations”
The National Youth Climate Change Seminar which kicked off on a spirited note focused on enhancing practical knowledge of climate change (CC) its relevance, actions and reactions to Nigeria as a developing country, skills that were needed for youths to take reasonable and responsible mitigative and adaptive measures to better manage the effects of climate change, reduce GHG emissions and move towards sustainable development.
The one-day seminar brought together knowledge and experience from other parts of the world and from various youths from varying ethnic backgrounds, organisational framework, intellectual exposures and political frontiers. Through interactive sessions, the seasoned facilitators encouraged participants to build on their knowledge, explore their innovative minds and discuss ways they can move forward on climate action within their own communities and organisations.
Sessions:
The following topics were considered during the seminar: Climate Change – Building on Participants Knowledge; Effective Skills for Action on Climate Change: PART ONE - Communications, Use of Social Media and Innovations for Climate Action; Effective Skills for Action on Climate Change: PART TWO – Community Based Action, development and Climate Change; Concluding Session – way forward, feedback and concluding comments.
Comments:
“…to meet the challenges of the changing climate, we need to ACT NOW, ACT TOGETHER and ACT DIFFERENTLY”
Youths have a major role to play in all three ways stated above. Climate Change is not just a scientific issue…although it is a scientifically proven phenomenon which arises as a result of natural variability or human activity.
Well thought out awareness programs and aggressive climate change advocacy and campaign should be embarked on.
Grass root knowledge impartation could be characterized under the following headings: effects of climate change, evidences of climate change and examples relevant to situations in the community in order to make it more applicable and attractive to the “common mind”.
Our present and future organisational projects, goals, aspirations, visions, missions must be environment friendly, less – energy consuming.
In order to fight climate change as effectively as possible, considerations must be given to the gender – specific effects of climate change.
Today, climate change is no longer a theory or a meteorological model that interests only a few people. In view of this reality, ensuring the participation of the greatest possible swath of the population – women, men, young people, boys and girls – in developed and less developed countries alike is not only a matter of social justice and respect for human rights in the present, but also one of great significance for future generations.
Development and environment conservation strategies to deal with climate change have been suggested in two areas: adaptation to extreme climate events and mitigation of the causes of climate change.
Adaptation strategies for climate change will be more effective if made with a participatory decision – making process. Adaptation refers to changes in processes, practices, and structure to moderate potential damages to or benefit from opportunities with climate change.
In the context of climate change, mitigation is “an anthropogenic intervention to reduce the sources of greenhouse gases or enhance their sinks.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Although climate change was initially conceived as a scientific and technical issue, expanding bases of knowledge have made it clear that the impacts are much broader; climate change is, in actuality, a socioeconomic problem. Thus, in order to fully understand and deal with climate change, it is imperative to consider the related social, economic and political aspects. Poverty and development, and the associated gender implications, for example, must be taken into account when determining appropriate responses.
WHAT WE CAN DO and SHOULD DO…
 Improve understanding and analysis of gender and climate change.
 Gather, produce and document information.
 Invest in effective communication, capacity building and development.
 Influence international and national policies
 Plan and develop gender- responsive policies and strategies
 Strengthen National and Local Capacities
To Summarize:
Climate Change poses potentially unprecedented threats to human development and well being. Much of that threat consists inter alia in changes to hydrological cycles and rain regimes, in the effect of temperature increases on evaporation, and in the worsening severity of extreme climate events. Therefore, measures have been adopted on sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity conservation, the combat against desertification, and risk reduction, among others.