Young men and women chant slogans at a protest rally in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, last year, calling for more action against climate change. The NGO Ecogenia emphasizes the importance of a more proactive stance and calls for the creation of a national youth climate group. [Dimitris Tosidis/Intime News]
As Greece faces another devastating wildfire season, the need for a pragmatic and practical set of solutions has never been clearer. The fires that have once again ravaged our beautiful landscapes and affected local communities are not just a symptom of climate change – they are a clarion call to action. Our country is at a crossroads, and it is time to harness the power of our greatest resource: our youth. One very effective way to do that is through a national youth climate group.
I am the co-founder of Ecogenia, a non-profit organization dedicated to building a national youth climate organization for Greece, because I believe that young people are essential in building a resilient and sustainable for this country.
A climate agency is not a silver bullet, but an enabler – a catalyst for accelerating the implementation of climate solutions across the country. The concept of a climate group is not new. Similar programs in other countries have shown that this model works. It is scalable, flexible, and efficient. By learning from these examples and tailoring the model to the specific needs of Greece, we can build a program that not only addresses immediate threats such as wildfires but also to sustainability and long-term sustainability.
This is why the youth climate group is vital for the future of Greece.
1. The need for people power on the front lines
Climate change is a complex challenge that requires not only technical expertise but also boots on the ground to implement a wide range of solutions. The scale of the work requires people power – individuals who are ready and willing to work in the field, engage with communities and take direct action.
Using wildfires as a practical example, a national youth climate group would empower the people needed to clear brush, manage forests, and restore ecosystems—activities proven to reduce wildfire risk. reduce wildness. Or in the case of flooding, a climate agency could do emergency prevention work such as levee reinforcement, hillside stabilization or sandbags to protect buildings and structures. By mobilizing young people, we can create a workforce dedicated to the critical work of protecting our natural environment and vulnerable communities.
2. Addressing youth unemployment
The climate crisis is not a distant threat – it is happening now. It is the younger generation that will be brought to bear the brunt of the devastation
More than 10 years after the financial crisis, Greece still has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Europe. Many young people struggle to find meaningful work, leading to frustration, unhappiness and brain drain. A climate organization offers a solution to this problem by providing paid work with training and professional development. By participating in a climate group, young people can gain valuable skills, build their resume, and contribute to something much bigger than themselves. This is not just about reducing unemployment; it is about creating a generation of leaders who are equipped to meet the challenges of the future while being gainfully employed in their own country.
3. Empowering young people to lead systems change
The climate crisis is not a distant threat – it is happening now. It is the younger generation who will be forced to bear the brunt of the devastation left by inaction or insufficient action. But young people will not stand to be victims. They are powerful agents of change. Across the globe, we have seen young leaders rise up to demand climate action. Greece is no different. Our young people are passionate about protecting the future and protecting the country’s natural resources. They are willing to be part of the solution. A climate organization would give them the platform they need to lead, innovate, and make a real difference in their communities. And after their term of service, these young people would carry their skills and solution-oriented mindset with them into their future careers and personal lives. The short-term and long-term ripple effects would be felt throughout our society.
A call to action
Over the past two decades, this generation has seen Greece literally burn through a financial crisis and now literally burn due to climate-induced wildfires. If we don’t empower our youth to be the stewards and protectors our country so desperately needs, we risk losing them – not just to unemployment or emigration, but to mis- happiness and despair. It is imperative that we channel their frustration and anger into productive action.
As Greece continues to be affected by more frequent and more intense disasters, the impact will be dire not only on the country’s national resources, but for its financial development, social prosperity, tourism opportunities, and national security. As policymakers and decision-makers consider how to survive another devastating wildfire season, they must also consider how to better prepare for the future to avoid dystopian paths like to avoid that. The creation of a national youth climate group should be at the forefront of this debate. By investing in our youth, we are not just addressing the climate crisis – we are ensuring the future of Greece itself.
Remember, the solutions to the climate crisis already exist – we just need the will and power of people to implement them. Now is the time to act. Ecogenia is ready to serve.
Lia Papazoglou is the co-founder of Ecogenia.