Thousands of critical human activities would be halted if there was no access to energy. Without it, security, medical and hospital equipment, food production, revenue growth, IT operations, and many other things would cease to function. However, not all of the energy we need is renewable. Despite energy sector breakthroughs, only 6% of global energy consumption comes from renewable sources, according to National Geographic. The development of renewable energy sources is critical for combating climate change and mitigating its most serious consequences. Climate change has piqued the interest of many young people. Climate change is viewed as a global emergency by 65% of people aged 18 to 35. Among those under the age of 18, this figure rises to 69 percent. They have the potential to be a driving force in the energy transition, bringing new perspectives and pursuing careers aimed at decarbonizing the sector.
Young people are impactful agents of change.
Young people have enormous power to send messages around the world in minutes, connect ideas, and lobby for change. Student Energy, the world's largest youth-led energy transition organisation, has discovered that when young people can take action and make decisions, they achieve results. In advance of the High-Level Dialogue on Energy, they have already announced their Youth UN-Energy Compact, which will fund and support 10,000 youth-led clean energy projects by 2030. Renewable energy could create more than 42 million jobs by 2050. We must prepare the next generation of workers for a just energy transition. The energy sector will need to provide more meaningful support and opportunities for young people throughout their career path, especially for vulnerable and underrepresented communities such as women, rural and remote residents, and those without formal education.
Building bridges is also an important aspect of the renewable energy revolution.
Local communities must be at the forefront of the energy revolution. Companies and governments will not be able to successfully spread clean energy technology on a large scale unless they first gain the trust of residents. Reluctance to invest in clean energy may stem from previous failed projects. The youth leaders can play an important role in forming partnerships with local and diverse communities in order to design pathways for including community voices in technology adoption strategies.
How Nigeria is engaging its own youth in the low - carbon transition.
Despite the challenges of achieving a global energy transition by 2030, young people are emerging as advocates and innovators, bringing clean and reliable energy solutions to their homes, communities, regions, and even countries. Renewable Energy Technologies and Green Entrepreneurship Training, for example, are available to Nigerian youth. In December, the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and the Federal Government of Nigeria collaborated to provide hands-on training in renewable energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, green entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship development to 125 selected youths from 26 Nigerian states in Abuja. Other countries, such as Nigeria, should engage their youth in renewable energy transitions in order to achieve a greener, cleaner, and carbon-free future.
Following the Nigerian citizens, developing countries should engage their youth to combat the exponentially increasing energy demands and reduce carbon footprint, which will ultimately benefit us and future generations.
You must be logged in to post a comment.