World Youth Skills Day 2024 and our Environment

N. Munal Meitei,
Environmentalist email: nmunall@yahoo.in

Our planet is our home, the place that sustains us; but are we living in harmony with nature? This is the famish question that our skilled youths are to ask.

World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on the 15th July. The theme for this year is ‘Youth Skills for Peace and Development’ emphasizes young people’s role in peace and sustainable progress. Over the years, youth have been at the forefront of global challenges like conflicts, polarization, economic inequality and the environment. The day also aims to spread for employment, decent work, entrepreneurship, education, training and environmental safeguards with their skills at local and global level.

The skilled youth are cascading to address the current and future global challenges. Thus, Skill India, launched in 2014, is an initiative to empower the youth and make them more employable and more productive in their work for society. But in the world skill index, India has 4.69% only, whereas Japan with 80% and South Korea with 96% of the total workforce.

India’s employable skilled youth is 51.3% and total unemployed youth is 65.7% as of March, 2024. Nearly 65% person in Manipur are reported as self-employed in rural areas, compared to the all-Indian rate of 59%. The unemployment rate among Manipur’s youth aged between 15 and 29 years is 19.7% as in 2022-23.

Conservation of nature is highly important for the development of social and economic life. The changes going on with the planet ask for a new solution to maintain the ecological balance. The negative impacts that need for immediate rectification are seen in all the environmental aspects. This is impossible without the young skills and they can only maintain a quality environment and human health.

Environmental education among youths is the key to development of skills and attitudes necessary for understanding and appreciating the interrelations of man, culture and the biophysical environment. Mankind cannot give up on economic growth; it will, however, be necessary to preserve the environment while moving forward at a fast pace. People have begun to understand the need both individually and collectively to protect nature by collaboration at local, national and international level.

In an era marked by environmental challenges, the role of youth activism has become increasingly pivotal in driving a meaningful environmental conservation, highlighting its role in shaping policies, fostering awareness and inspiring collective action.

Youth activists have the efficacy in raising awareness about climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable practices. In this technological age, youth leverage innovation through developing sustainable technologies, promoting eco-friendly apps, or utilizing social media for advocacy, youth are the driving force through the intersection of innovation and environmental conservation.

Environmental conservation is not confined to international agreements; it starts at the local level, like tree-plantation, waste reduction programs and advocating for renewable energy solutions from local to the global environment.

Youth activists often face challenges such as skepticism, limited resources and systemic barriers. However, their resilience and determination in the face of adversity are driving forces for change. By persistently pushing against obstacles, young activists exemplify the strength needed to overcome challenges in the pursuit of environmental conservation.

Greta Thunberg (Sweden), Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (United States), Ridhima Pandey and Licypriya Kangujam (India) are some of the successful youth climate activists who have demonstrated the power of young voices in driving environmental conservation both globally and locally.

Youth have a unique perspective that can change communities, from reducing waste and conserving resources to advocating for policies to protect our planet for a sustainable future. Through their actions and skills, youth can create a more sustainable world.

As we study more about the impact of human activity on the environment, it’s becoming clear that we all have an equal responsibility to take care of our planet but, youths have a bigger role to play in reducing waste, plastics and pollution. Another way youth can promote environmental sustainability is by conserving resources like using less electricity and water, turning off lights and electronics when they’re not in use and taking shorter showers.

Youth unemployment is increasing, which is the most significant problem facing today’s economies and societies in the world for developed and developing countries alike. Youths are also victims of the environmental and climate crises. Let’s support and stand with youth in shaping a just and sustainable world, for people and planet.

Youth capacities and potential are the driving motor for a sustainable future. To fully unlock youth’s potential to address the challenges of the triple planetary crisis; biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution, they must be granted access to adequate education, skills and opportunities.

Technical knowledge and youth skills enable the occupational setting up of ‘skills for the future’ and ‘skills for green jobs’. While green skills are relevant for people of all ages, they have heightened importance for younger people, who can contribute to the green transition for a longer period of time.

The role of youth skills in environmental conservation is multifaceted and indispensable. They are catalysts for a positive change. When we look toward the future, it is evident that empowering youth’s skills is the key to ensure a sustainable and resilient planet.