CLIMATE change is not anymore a concept that is vague in nature. It has become a reality for economies, societies and even individuals all around the globe.

The effects of climate change are even more pronounced in a developing country, like Pakistan.

Being one of the top 10 countries that are facing severe consequences of climate change, the country suffers from various environmental, economic and social problems because of climate change.

Out of this adversity, the youth of Pakistan is probably the most affected.

The young are facing the consequences already, just as anybody else in the country today, but they are the ones who are bound to face this across their lives going forward.

This makes them a serious stakeholder in this critical context.

Though being responsible for only slightly above one per cent of GHG emissions, Pakistan is disproportionately hit by climate change.

Nevertheless, amidst such a difficult situation, there exists great potential. Pakistan has a relatively young population, with about 64 per cent of the citizens being below the age of 30 years.

This implies that the youth are not only the most affected, but they are also the best change-agents in Pakistan.

In various parts of the country, the young have taken charge of dealing with climate change issues.

The young play an essential role in climate change activism in Pakistan through different ways.

For instance, in harsh environments, such as Balochistan, which experiences tough environmental conditions, they have taken up tree plantation activities as part of fighting desertification and environmental degradation.

Apart from on-ground activities, young Pakistanis are employing digital technology in the fight against climate change.

Social media platforms have emerged as key players for climate campaigning as they provide the youth with means to reach a wider audience and build up communities.

The use of various social media platforms to spread the word about ways in which individuals can be more sustainable, such as saving water, reducing waste and embracing renewable energy, is common practice.

Furthermore, young Pakistanis are involved in community-building activities aimed at educating local communities on climate issues.

Workshops are held on composting and sustainable agriculture in cities and rural areas.

Such workshops serve not only as means of raising awareness regarding local issues, but they are also as opportunities to give the locals practical skills that will help them cope with the effects of climate change.

For example, climate-smart farming methods have been introduced to farmers in order to increase productivity.

The Young are the real stakeholders in the fight against climate crisis, argues Zunaira Qayyum

Furthermore, young Pakistanis are becoming active in the domains of policy-making and systemic changes.

Student organisations, youth movements and advocacy groups are campaigning for the incorporation of climate education in the country’s curriculum.

Climate change education that incorporates a range of topics, such as renewable energy sources and environmental studies, will be crucial for addressing the issue in the coming years.

As young people get involved in consultations and discussions with politicians, they can ensure their opinions are heard.

However, the influence of young Pakistanis on climate change cannot be attributed only to raising awareness and implementing educational programmes.

In many cases, youth-led initiatives aim at promoting inclusiveness and justice by focusing attention on underrepresented groups.

For example, due to specific circumstances, the involvement of women in agricultural activities and water management in rural areas is common.

In such a way, youth-led projects are trying to contribute to efforts to build the resilience of local communities.

In addition, young people in Pakistan have become active participants in climate-related international conferences, thereby raising awareness about their experiences at international forums.

By taking part in events, such as COP and other international forums, young Pakistanis are underlining the importance of combating climate change in developing nations.

The involvement of young people in such forums also allows them to benefit from sharing experiences and knowledge, and to contribute to strengthening the unity of efforts in overcoming a global problem.

International cooperation and exchange of knowledge play an especially vital role for a nation like Pakistan since it faces environmental problems that can be observed in other regions with similar climatic features.

By familiarising themselves with innovative practices in other areas of the globe, including techniques of water harvesting and models of renewable energy production, Pakistani youth can implement successful solutions to environmental problems back home.

Notwithstanding the positive trends, however, there exist some major obstacles that hamper efforts to fight the climate crisis.

Firstly, resource constraints, insufficient institutional support, and lack of proper financing can impede the efficiency and sustainability of youth-led initiatives.

Secondly, there is an urgent need to create a more coordinated cooperation among governmental agencies, civic organisations and youth entities to facilitate greater impact on policy-making processes.

Educational and awareness-raising efforts should be prioritised as well.

Although young people in Pakistan are trying to advocate for climate literacy, they are still facing a severe deficiency of relevant educational programmes.

It is necessary for both the government and the corporate sector to make efforts to somehow overcome the relevant issues, and to promote the process of integrating climate education into standard curricula.

In addition to advocacy and education, innovations by young Pakistanis have become a key motivator for climate action in recent years.

Young entrepreneurs, students and environmentalists in Pakistan are creating cost-effective innovations specific to their region, including renewable energy solutions for communities lacking energy infrastructure; water filtration technologies for safe consumption; and biodegradable substitutes for plastic packaging.

Additionally, many young innovators are using digital platforms and apps to spread information about climate issues.

All these innovations not only allow you to address environmental issues in the community, but also to provide new economic and development opportunities.

Innovations by young Pakistanis show that effective solutions to environmental issues are possible not necessarily through substantial financial investments.

What makes young innovators successful is their ability to combine modern technologies with the traditional knowledge of their communities and their own experiences.

One should stress that the climate crisis in Pakistan is simultaneously a great challenge and a unique opportunity.

On the one hand, the country experiences serious environmental risks, while, on the other, it benefits from having a highly engaged young generation of active leaders and advocates.

The efforts of young Pakistanis, whether it be local projects or global advocacy initiatives, prove that there is scope for change when knowledge, zeal and activism come together.

In order to bring about a change of this kind, however, it is important to equip young people with the tools necessary to make their work bigger than ever before.

In the light of this mounting climate emergency, the voice of Pakistani youth serves as an inspiration and a roadmap to success.

It becomes imperative that we invest in such efforts by our young to fight against climate change.

The writer is a 14-year-old climate and youth empowerment advocate working to amplify young voices and drive action on climate change and mental health.