Chongqing- With extreme climatic conditions appearing worldwide more frequently in recent years, public awareness of taking action to address climate change has grown. In this context, the “Youth Responsibilities to Challenges of Climate Change” and the “Urban Youth Join Hands Across Lands and Seas” dialogue gathered young people from China, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy online on 24th February 2023. Young students, experts, and scholars shared their enlightening ideas and suggestions to address the challenges posed by climate change. Their opinions are highlighted below, and let’s take a view. 

Benedetta Mascaretti from Roma Tre University emphasized the crucial role that young people have played in combating climate change. She listed some instances for young people to engage themselves in taking climate action, like starting with small things by reducing the use of cars and energy use and taking part in environmental organizations and projects to address climate change by using the knowledge and skills they have built.

Business consultant Wilfried Scholtz from Germany shares his experience and wisdom for young participants in the discussion. In his opinion, consumers’ need for environment-friendly products would influence producers to produce products with a lower environmental impact. 

Professor Zhao Huan from SISU in Chongqing 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.”

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. But she thought that was not right. She balanced the dire climatic situation with strong words of hope, as better disaster management and broader application of green renewable energy gradually lead to fewer related deaths and lower carbon emissions. 

Hu Yacong, an undergraduate from Chongqing University, suggested that young people can contribute to addressing climate change by playing three roles: practitioners, researchers, and advocators.

In response to a question by Frederic from Rome, a student from Chongqing University introduced how Chinese people used TikTok to raise public awareness of making eco-friendly choices in daily life.

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.