Climate change and young people

How and why are young people engaging with the democratic process about climate change - are they likely to do it in the same ways that adults do?

Climate change is an issue of increasing world-wide importance. Over the coming years it will have an ever-increasing impact on the whole social policy youth development sector.

On 19 May 2007, Professor Jonathan Boston, Professor of Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington, and Rachel Tallon and Eva Laurence from the Global Education Centre, discussed how climate change may resonate for young people and how this might impact upon the way the climate change agenda is shaped. 

Professor Jonathan Boston gave an overview of the key policy changes posed by the climate change issue - globally, nationally and locally.  This drew on material in his recent co-edited book "Confronting Climate Change: Critical Issues for New Zealand" (VUP, 2006), and considered some of the findings of recent international reports on climate change, including the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change (2006) and the 2007 reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).  This included some brief comments on the likely impacts of climate change on New Zealand's economy and society. 

In terms of dealing directly with young people in New Zealand and on the issue of climate change, the Global Education Centre has been a leader.  Rachel Tallon and Eva Laurence discussed the work of the Global Education Centre in this area.  This includes the findings of focus groups with New Zealanders and the development of resources for secondary schools.

More Information

Professor Jonathan Boston's presentation is available to download under the "Related documents" heading below.


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