The climate crisis is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a social concern that influences every aspect of our lives. To handle this urgent challenge, we need to foster change through climate activism.
Gabija Gorobecaitė-Jocienė, a climate activist from Extinction Rebellion Lithuania, has spent the past five years advocating for climate justice. In her recent talk at the YSCP (Youth Shaping Climate Policy) projects event Youth for Climate: Rise, Unite, Transform, Gabija highlighted the necessity of activists in the fight against climate change.
The role of climate activists
Climate activists like Gabija take collective action based on scientific evidence of the climate crisis. Their work goes beyond spreading awareness since they facilitate rapid cultural, economic, and political changes, encouraging sustainable choices and decisions.
What do climate activists want?
- Empower communities through citizen assemblies: This approach promotes direct democracy and gives people a voice in environmental decisions.
- Stop fossil fuel subsidies: Reducing the use of fossil fuels is essential to mitigating global CO2 emissions and transitioning towards sustainable energy sources.
- Tax the rich: A 0.5% additional tax on the 1% of the wealthiest people in the world could generate enough revenue to create 117 million jobs in the green energy sector. Not only would this address climate change, but also create economic opportunities for people.
Barriers that a person needs to cross to become a climate activist
According to the YSCP event speaker, an individual who agrees with these movement values and wants to join it first needs to overcome several significant barriers.
- Understanding the cause of climate change: Before taking action, the potential climate advocate should admit that human activities are accelerating climate change.
- Acknowledging the urgency of the crisis: It is not enough to understand that people are causing climate change; future activist must also recognise already occurring severe impacts of climate change, such as intense weather events, food shortages, and public health hazards.
- Facing challenges: Once the individual realises the scope of the climate crisis, he must address climate anxiety, climate denial and all kinds of what-about arguments that are going around this issue in society. Moreover, he must prepare himself to dedicate enough time and energy to the movement.
- Finding your role in the movement: Lastly, the potential activists must figure out where they fit in. Whether through protests, creating content, or working on policy changes, everyone has to find a way that best suits them and their set of skills and passions.
Benefits of becoming a climate advocate
Despite going through many challenges, participants of this movement get many advantages. Environment advocates gain a strong sense of community and support, building long-lasting friendships. Climate activism offers opportunities for funded travel to various international events, where advocates can learn and share their ideas. Many find career paths through the activist journey and incorporate acquired skills into jobs involving sustainability and the environment. Most importantly, climate advocacy gives hope: knowing they are working towards a better future keeps activists combating the climate crisis.
Climate activism can help fight the climate crisis in a world where environmental protection also incorporates justice, equality, and fighting for the future of our communities. As Gabija reminds us: “If not us, then who?”. The future of our planet depends on the actions we take today. Every little effort can make a difference in creating a more sustainable and equitable world. We can ensure a brighter future for the next generation by joining climate activism.
