Climate Action
International Youth Day: How Young People Can Drive Positve Climate Action
August 12, 2025
Johnny Dabrowski, Earth Day Consultant
International Youth Day: How Young People Can Drive Positive Climate Action
International Youth Day, observed each year on August 12th, serves as a global reminder of both the challenges and the tremendous potential of youth.
Around the world, young people are rising to meet the climate crisis head-on. As the generation that will inherit the most severe consequences of climate change—especially with the increasing likelihood of surpassing 1.5°C of warming—youth must be empowered with the skills, funding, and opportunities to lead. Climate-related hazards are already disrupting young lives through school closures, extreme weather, and displacement. Between January 2022 and June 2024, a minimum of 404 million students faced school closures due to extreme weather events, according to the World Bank Report Education for Climate Action
At the same time, youth have become powerful advocates for change. A landmark advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice—initiated by young activists from the Pacific Island of Vanuatu—affirmed that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is essential for the enjoyment of fundamental human rights. This important ruling underscores the urgency of climate action grounded in justice for future generations.
Today, more youth organizations than ever are engaged in the UN climate process. Between COP21 in Paris and the recent COP29 in Baku, youth attendance has increased more than 50% as part of the registered UNFCCC constituencies. At EARTHDAY.ORG, the Climate Education Coalition has united over 100 youth-led civil society groups across the globe. The youth movement is growing.
New organizations join the Coalition every month and the COP30 Youth Climate Champion has supported our goal to prioritize youth and green skills at COP30. The global civil society campaign has led to climate education being embedded in the agenda of the UN Climate Change Conference in Belem. The key question now is: how do we keep up the momentum in an increasingly unpredictable world?
International Youth Day: This Year’s Theme
This year’s official commemoration of International Youth Day takes place in Nairobi, Kenya, with a focus on “Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond.”The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015, set a global direction to protect the planet, end poverty, ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. At EARTHDAY.ORG, we focus on two closely connected goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Together, they are essential to equipping young people with green skills and the climate knowledge they need to thrive in a transforming world.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, which has helped shape global youth policy. Its principles will influence preparations for the upcoming UN Summit for Social Development in Doha, Quatar this November. Both events will chart a clear path for investing in youth and embedding their priorities within the final phase of Sustainable Development Goals implementation. Despite the prevalence of social media, young people still face significant barriers when trying to be heard. That’s why the conversations in Nairobi will prioritize real investments in youth and the empowerment of future generations at the local governance level.
As recognized in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) latest opinion, protecting a healthy environment is not just good policy— it’s an obligation of states. Governments, as signatories to numerous human rights treaties including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are obliged to address climate change for the sake of current and future generations.
Youth Are At The Heart of Global Climate Advocacy
Young people are central to the UN climate process, and their leadership continues to grow. At the UN Bonn Climate Conference in June this year, the Climate Education Coalition and EARTHDAY.ORG called on governments to prioritize funding for youth-led innovation and education. Alongside the COP30 Presidency Youth Climate Champion Marcele Oliveira, we have emphasized that youth and education must be central to the agenda at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
On August 14th, the Coalition will host a consultation with Marcele Oliveira, proposing a co-hosted side event with the COP30 Presidency in Belem. We’ll also identify ways youth can contribute to key processes like the Leaders’ Summit and the Sustainability COP.
Our advocacy, launched back at COP26 in Glasgow, helped secure climate education on the COP30 agenda. But the work is far from done—now is the time to ensure climate finance reaches education and youth projects, especially in vulnerable communities.
Empowering the Next Generation: Green Skills & Education
A just transition to a sustainable future depends on one key subject – climate education. From classrooms to communities, the need for climate education and green skills is more urgent than ever. At EARTHDAY.ORG, we draw inspiration from our roots: in 1970, Denis Hayes, then just 25 years old, mobilized millions for the first Earth Day, helping drive the creation of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Environmental Education Act.
Today, Earth Day reaches over a billion people annually, and young advocates remain at its core—leading campaigns, innovating climate solutions, and influencing policy. Under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” Earth Day 2025 was a spotlight of a youth-led action. We’ve supported member organizations of the Climate Education Coalition in Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Barbados to run grassroots climate campaigns focused on advocating governments to integrate climate education in the curricula.
As an educator in Nigeria, I believe that climate-literate students will be the leaders of tomorrow. A well-informed public is key to supporting environmental policies—and Africa, already facing the brunt of the climate crisis, must invest in climate education today.
The Power of Youth-Led Change
Climate change is already endangering the education, jobs, and wellbeing of young people—especially in the most climate-vulnerable regions. But youth are not passive victims. They are organizers, educators, and innovators. They are leading protests, influencing policy, and building solutions.
At EARTHDAY.ORG, we remain committed to supporting youth leadership through the Climate Education Coalition and other global campaigns. This International Youth Day, let’s recommit to investing in education and empowering youth to shape the future they deserve.
As we look ahead to COP30, let’s ensure that young people are not only heard—but are driving the solutions forward.
If you’re ready to join this movement, sign up to be part of the Climate Education Coalition and take part in the upcoming meeting with the COP30 Youth Climate Champion: 👉 Coalition Membership Form
Other Pathways to Action: Get Involved
There are many ways for youth to take action with EARTHDAY.ORG and beyond:
- 🌱 Apply for our Fall 2025 Internship
earthday.org/internship - 🌎 Join the Climate Education Coalition
Sign up here - 🏫 Get active on your campus with the Campus Coalition
earthday.org/campaign/campus-coalition
earthday.org/earth-hub
