Rector & Secretary

Rev. Fr. Rajkumar Mervyn SDB

Youth: The Architects of Our Environmental Future - A World Environment Day Special

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th, champions global efforts to inspire positive environmental change. This year’s theme, “Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.” profoundly resonates with young people who are inheriting today’s environmental challenges yet hold the potential to shape a sustainable future. This article explores youth’s vital role in environmental conservation and the dynamic ways they can drive significant change.

Our planet is in the grip of critical environmental issues: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These threats are not distant possibilities, but immediate and real, jeopardizing ecosystems and our very existence. The consequences are severe, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the depletion of natural resources. Fortunately, we possess the necessary knowledge and technology to tackle these challenges, but it requires a collective effort, particularly from the youth, whose energy, innovation, and idealism are crucial for ecological progress. Young people are not just future inheritors of the environmental movement, but advocates today. They bring fresh perspectives that challenge the status quo and propose innovative solutions. As digital natives, they are adept at using technology and social media to amplify their environmental messages and mobilize their peers. As the primary stakeholders of tomorrow’s environment, their actions today will directly impact the future. Their unique contributions, such as their ability to think outside the box and their passion for change, make them invaluable in the fight for a sustainable future.

World Environment Day acts as a catalyst for a wide range of youth-led environmental initiatives. Young individuals are encouraged to participate in activities ranging from organizing community clean-ups and educational programs to lobbying for robust environmental policies. They are also making their mark through social media awareness campaigns and green entrepreneurship. Notably, several young leaders are making significant impacts globally: Greta Thunberg is known for her global school strike movement; Xiye Bastida actively advocates for environmental justice within the Fridays For Future movement; Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, pushes for a Green New Deal in the U.S.; and Boyan Slat has developed a system to remove plastics from the oceans. These activists underscore the profound influence that youth can exert on environmental policy and global consciousness, demonstrating the critical role they play in shaping our ecological future.

The theme for World Environment Day encourages the reimagination of our living systems to align with sustainable agriculture, energy, and transportation practices. Young people are urged to advocate for green infrastructure in urban planning, participate in ecosystem restoration projects like reforestation and wetland conservation, and support the circular economy to minimize waste. Youth are the builders of our environmental future. By leveraging their passion and creativity, they have the power to forge a sustainable path forward. World Environment Day is a powerful reminder of the collective action required to reimagine, recreate, and restore our planet. It calls on all young people to participate and make a difference, ensuring a viable and thriving Earth for future generations.