• Society

Climate Change Push Youth to Commit

• By Te Chhaysinh
• April 4, 2023 10:45 AM

PHNOM PENH – With climate change intensifying and having an undeniable impact on people’s lives, the younger generation is being pushed to take action and commit to finding solutions, environmental defenders said during the Cambodian Youth Climate Change Conference, which was held on April 1 at LSI Business School.

“Youth have the creativity to empower themselves to achieve more significant things in terms of combating and mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Vin Puthealy, project coordinator at Young Eco Ambassador, a group of individuals who have been raising awareness about sustainable development since 2012.

“Youth is a powerful force that can deliver impactful change and must be a role model to [inspire others],” she added.

While climate change is a global issue, Southeast Asian nations will be among the most impacted countries on the planet, with long-term effects on the rainfall pattern, causing fish stocks or agriculture yields to decline.

“Even though the youth cannot be certain of having an impact on government policy and decision-making, the youth movement can let people know [better] and raise awareness about climate change,” said Huon Pengsan, talent activation senior manager at Impact Hub.

Saron Sovichea, founder of the environmental advocacy organization Niron, said that it is people’s obligation to be a part of a rightful and important movement to combat climate change and protect the world of tomorrow.

“If the youth want to live in a world where they don't have to suffer the consequences of our current changing climate, then it’s obvious that they should contribute. While the repercussions are mild now, they will be worse in the future,” he said.

“Youth have the ability to make a change and can be a big factor in it. For instance, they could band together and create social projects that aim to tackle various current environmental concerns,” he added.

“Nowadays, it is a growing movement within a growing community of environmentally conscious youth; all they need is encouragement and confidence.”