ALMOST half of young people in a recent survey said they feel worried about the climate crisis.
International development agency Christian Aid Cymru – which carried out the survey – says there is more work to be done on giving young people a voice and helping them understand the global impacts of climate change.
Christian Aid staff spoke to people aged 12-31 during the Urdd Eisteddfod to find out how they feel about climate change and its effects.
Sixty-one people took part with 49 per cent saying they felt worried and 23 per cent hopeful. Sixteen per cent answered that they had no strong feelings while 11 per cent, who were all under 16, said they felt angry.
When it came to taking action, 38 per cent said they try to do small things to make a difference and 34 per cent believe change is possible if everyone plays their part.
Comments included: ‘I feel some adults don’t realise their children will have to live with their consequences’; ‘everyone needs to try; not a lot will change if only some people do things’; ‘we need international campaigning’; and ‘governments of different countries should work together to stop climate change going further’.
Half of the people who answered thought those most affected by the climate crisis were children and people living in poverty.
The survey follows on the heels of a recent report, commissioned by Christian Aid, which revealed extreme weather has caused a minimum of $41 billion (around £32bn) damage in the six months since the last major climate conference. The organisation says not enough progress has been made since COP28 in the United Arab Emirates to move away from fossil fuels or to support lower-income countries to cope with climate disasters.
Many of the worst disasters have hit countries where few people or businesses have insurance. The human cost of disasters is also missed in these figures, from those who lost their lives to those whose homes are destroyed, or who lose out on work or education.
Christian Aid has two initiatives which help young people share their concerns and campaign for change.
Creative for Climate Justice is a partnership between CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Send My Friend to School and is aimed at helping young people raise their voices on environmental issues.
Children and young people are asked to come up with arty ways of sharing their opinions about climate justice and their hopes for the planet.
Their work is then put on display in school and community displays – and students are encouraged to write to their MPs, as part of the project, to raise issues of climate justice and to share their work.
Pieces from each school are also selected for a national online gallery, a display in November at the Senedd, and an exhibition in the Houses of Parliament, in London.
There is also Global Neighbours Cymru which is a scheme run by Christian Aid and The Church in Wales.
It is open to all primary schools in Wales with three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and a variety of initiatives which encourage children to think of others throughout the world.
As well as learning about issues such as poverty around the world, children will be able to take part in activities like litter picking and clothes swaps, speaking to local supermarkets about single use plastic, and inviting community leaders to see their work.
For more information please visit Christian Aid Cymru at this year’s National Eisteddfod – the team will be at St Catherine’s Church, in Pontypridd, and in the Cytun tent at the festival.
