China-Europe Youth Discuss Climate Change Solutions in Online Roundtable

Chongqing - The previous year saw extreme climatic conditions worldwide, from record-breaking heatwaves and drought in China, severe floods caused by heavy rainfall in Europe, to devastating forest fires in North America. These have resulted in widespread economic losses and worsening stagnation, threatening the long-term sustainability of the present global financial system, modern lifestyles, and even the world’s viability for supporting human life.

In recent times, public awareness has continued to grow in the face of this impending world crisis, emphasizing the need to take joint action to create a brighter future for humankind. In this context, the “Urban Youth Join Hands Across Lands and Seas” dialogue event was held online on 24th February 2023, which brought together young representatives from the University of London, Three Kings International Academy in Dusseldorf, and Rome 9 Sino-Italian Economic and Cultural Exchange Centre, who met together in a live roundtable discussion to exchange ideas and suggestions to address the challenges posed by climate change.

The discussion was held over three rounds focusing on the present climatic situation of individual countries, recent governmental action undertaken to remedy these issues, and finally, suggested action plans for global youth to fight climate change in the shortest timeframe.

Alex, a foreign reporter from the Chongqing International Communication Center, joined hands with co-hosts from London, Düsseldorf, and Rome, along with 40 young people from China and Europe will discuss their experiences and wisdom towards climate change, while climate experts from China and Europe took part to answer questions and provide guidance from a more authoritative perspective.

In the early stages, UK climate change expert Josie Wexler introduced survey data showing that a 56% average of youth aged 16-25 worldwide feel that humanity is doomed, based on the current trends experienced in climate change, with even higher figures seen in nations often struck by natural disasters, such as typhoons in the Philippines, drought in India and floods in Brazil. 

Nevertheless, Wexler balanced the dire climatic situation with strong words of hope, as better disaster management and broader application of green renewable energy are gradually leading to fewer related deaths and lower carbon emissions. As she quoted from Director Gavin Schmidt from the NASA Goddard Institute, there is no point of return but rather a sliding scale of irreversible effects.

Early in the discussion, Associate Professor Qin Qin from SISU took her time to state how in the summer of 2022, an unprecedented heatwave struck half the total land area of China, covering 4.5 million square kilometers, breaking the record set in 2013 of 62 days. At the same time, rainfall dropped by 80% compared to the average. 

Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, dried up to levels virtually unseen in history. “According to data released by the Ministry of Emergency Management, the drought in July alone affected 5.527 million people and caused direct economic losses of 2.73 billion Chinese yuan.”

In Germany, the teacher Marcel Klee described how climate-related disasters in recent years had incurred crop damage amounting to 4.4 billion Euros. In the summer of last year, water levels in the Rhein fell dramatically to expose the riverbed, hindering trade as a result. “Ships could not fully load or were completely unable to navigate. The supply lines for many companies become more expensive, and many ship operators feared for their trade.”

In the case of Italy, graduate Jacopo de Cindi from Roma Tre University described climate-related issues, such as the effects of rising sea levels already visible in the city. In 2019, Venice's lagoon suffered its worst floods, caused by rising temperatures and the thermal expansion of seawater. As glaciers continue to melt, Italy also risks losing parts of the coastline, while many small towns and villages in coastal areas could face an uncertain future. 

Following a series of keynote addresses, young participants were invited to voice additional concerns and questions. In response, a serious issue facing the UK regarding supply chains and consumer prices was brought up. Currently, disruption caused by extreme weather in Southern Europe and Africa has led to shortages of food items once taken for granted, such as cucumber, tomato sauce, and even salad. 

Nowadays, the practice of food rationing has been adopted in some UK supermarkets and does not bode well for the future if the current climate trend fails to slow down.

Director Zheng Ruijun of the UN Sustainable Development Research Center stated that no country worldwide is safe from the effects of Climate change. As polar ice caps melt, global sea levels rise, and cataclysmic weather events increase in ferocity, she reflected on several positive steps that have been taken in the adoption of solar and wind power, electric and biofuel vehicles, while 32 countries have successfully reduced emissions during the past 15 years while maintaining economic growth. She also praised the new program called Systematic Observation Financing Facility.

“The Facility will pledge $400 million during the next five years to improve weather observation networks in the least developed countries and small island states, with the aim of improving early warning systems in vulnerable countries.”

While it’s still the case that two-thirds of electricity is produced from fossil fuels in the UK, the government has committed to a zero greenhouse gas emissions policy, and despite the fact they have not met their targets yet, there have nevertheless been encouraging results. Public transport is being switched in favor of electric vehicles. About 15% of newly registered vehicles in the past year were electric, and 40% of these buyers were women. Meanwhile, power generation is to be largely transferred to offshore wind farms, as this represents the country's main source of natural energy.

The need for more robust planning regulations in the UK was emphasized to ensure better home insulation, which the sharp rise in gas prices has brought to the forefront, meaning the need to retain heat within the home during winter has become of financial necessity. Unfortunately, insulation materials are currently not subsidized as they were in the past, unlike Scandinavia, and there is still ‘ignorance’ persisting in the country, where a quoted 50% of people fail to realize their gas boilers even produce greenhouse gases.

China is the world’s second-largest economy and has committed to ensuring that emissions peak by 2030 and that carbon neutrality is achieved by 2060. Fang Xing is a student pursuing a degree in electrical engineering who stated she feels particularly conscious of her responsibility towards climate change. In a live address, she described moves the traditional industrial city of Chongqing has made to achieve these goals, such as green transitions in using steel and other building materials. 

Fang added, “Green industrial parks have been constructed, and Chongqing is also the only city in western China to participate in a trading system for carbon credits, which permits a company to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.” Furthermore, the forest coverage area in China has increased by an average of 1.937 million hectares per year, ranking first worldwide. At the same time, renewable power and the new energy vehicle markets are booming.

Federica Curci, an Italian graduate in International Studies, took her opportunity to describe how last year, the Italian government released funds to help drought-stricken areas and imposed water rationing measures in response. It also began supporting the development of drought-resistant crops and investment in new water infrastructure. The drought was further exacerbated by hundreds of wildfires, mostly occurring in the southern regions with a rate three times higher than average.

Jacopo de Cindi explained how Italy focused on implementing renewable energy and predicted that coal would be phased out as an energy source by 2025. Wind and solar power have been given special emphasis, as shown by the Italian government, which decided to provide an economic bonus to people who install solar panels on their private property. 

She added, “Italy’s goal is to increase solar energy production threefold and to double wind power so that by the year 2030, renewable sources will supply 55% of the country’s total energy needs.”

By 2030, it is predicted that 22% of transport means in Italy will use renewable energy, while electric cars are estimated to reach 4 million units, along with 2 million hybrid vehicles. This way, the nation is determined to contribute by decreasing emissions by 33% and becoming carbon-neutral by the year 2050.

Addressing the online roundtable live from Germany, business consultant Wilfried Scholtz reiterated the urgent need for action in the face of climate change, the implications of which are far-reaching and affect every aspect of our lives into the future. Nevertheless, Scholtz also expressed hope, drawing on the lessons gained from the statesman Nelson Mandela, who reminded us that challenges always seem impossible until they are overcome. 

Addressing the young audience, he described their roles in this global issue, such as activism and research. Citing examples from China, he stated, "Student volunteers at Chongqing University have organized an Earth Hour on campus to reduce their carbon footprint, while China has introduced policies for carbon neutrality covering every region and industry.” Based on these concrete examples, Scholtz emphasized that simply awareness and slogans are not enough for countries worldwide.

Professor Zhao Huan from SISU in Chongqing became acutely aware of climate change when her home city suffered an extreme heatwave that saw temperatures rise over 45 degrees centigrade, combined with drought to cause a wave of mountain forest fires. 

In a live address, she praised recent Chongqing endeavors, such as the Digital Climate Solutions for Future Generations event, where experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs discussed how technological innovation can enhance public awareness through the exchange. 

She further emphasized the importance of collective actions on a personal level. "We should only buy necessities that save on energy, practice the three Rs of reduction, reuse, and recycling, and embrace green transportation to reduce greenhouse emissions."

As the roundtable drew towards a successful conclusion, an overall feeling was that young people have a significant and influential role in the fight against climate change. The Italian graduate from Roma Tre University, Benedetta Mascaretti, explained that young people are the future, and the world needs their innovative thinking to reverse the climate crisis. 

“There are many things young people can do to stop climate change in simple yet purposeful ways. First, youths and adolescents must be informed and prepared for climate action. They need to persuade teachers, professors, and other educational bodies to integrate education about climate change into core curricula.”

The ability of youth to make themselves be heard on a global scale is a strong asset for young people. Mascaretti remembered how she and other students participated in the Fridays for Future movement started by the Swedish teen Greta Thumberg and demonstrated the need to take action against global warming by skipping school and holding peaceful protests in the streets. 

According to survey data, 33.5 percent of people stated the movement had a moderate influence on environmental consciousness, while 16 percent affirmed the movement significantly impacted the habits of people.

Canadian host Alex Reporterfy concluded the roundtable with a statement to praise the achievements in ecological restoration he has seen over the past 18 months in Chongqing. “I’ve seen absolutely extraordinary things happening in regards to the environment on a visual level and have seen the nation and city come together to combat challenges. This has truly been a life-learning experience.”

For participants as a whole that day, the single common mission is to protect the environment and hand over the planet to the next generation in the best state possible.

The Chongqing International Communication Center and Luhai International Communication Foundation, with support from the British International Education Association and Drei Könige Internationale Akademie, hosted this special dialogue event.