Background

The world today is home to the largest generation of young people in history, 1.8 billion. Connected to each other like never before, young people are leading climate action by implementing mitigation and adaptation projects, proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political change, in urban as well as rural contexts. The Young and Future Generations Day at COP 25 showcased and celebrated youth climate action through multiple activities, such as:

• Agenda of the Young and Future Generations Day
• Opening ceremony
• Intergenerational Inquiry
• Award Ceremony of the Global Youth Video Competition 2019
• Side events and exhibits (more information here)
• Events taking place at the Action Hub at COP 25 (more information here)

This event opened the day for a series of youth-related activities and welcomed various young climate leaders from different regions to share inspiring stories on implementing climate action.

The Intergenerational Inquiry was the highlight event of Young and Future Generations Day. It provided a platform for youth and decision makers to discuss how young people can enhance the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The results of Conference of Youth (COY 15) were also presented.

The Award Ceremony of the Global Youth Video Competition screened the videos of the 2019 edition's winners on three categories:

Category 1: Cities and local action to combat climate change

The video by Raquel Gaião Silva presented the efforts made by the Portuguese NGO “Ocean Alive” to protect the seagrass meadows in Setúbal. “Ocean Alive” works to educate students and the local fishing community, to promote behavior change, reduce destructive fishing, and protect the seagrass meadows.

Category 2: Nature-based solutions for food and human health

In their three-minute entry, Rafael Forsetto and Kiane Assis, defined agroecology and showed how it has become part of the culture for farmers in Paraná, Brazil. These farmers avoid pesticides and seek to increase biodiversity and reduce the ecological impact of their agricultural practices.

Category 3: Balancing use of land for people and ecosystems

The video by Callie Broaddus described what inspired her to set up “Reserva: The Youth Land Trust,” an organization designed to empower youth to fight climate change and biodiversity loss through land conservation. Reserva is working to create the world’s first entirely youth-funded reserve in Ecuador’s Chocó Rainforest.