Reflections

#PhotoChallenge: September 2021

#PhotoChallenge: September 2021

The truth is, for most of us in the Global South, we feel the drastic effects of the climate and nature crises, and are acting now because we do not have the luxury of time to wait for any other person to do it! The time is now, and we are doing all we can. Be encouraged to keep doing your part as well. And for now, join our Global Ambassadors in their own words and photos, as they bring us closer to their landscapes this month!

Una gota rueda sobre el hielo y cuelga sobre el vacío

Una gota rueda sobre el hielo y cuelga sobre el vacío

En América Latina, aparte de los famosos gigantes de hielo en la cordillera de los Andes al sur del continente también tenemos glaciares en zonas menos esperadas: los trópicos. Colombia tiene 6 glaciares, México tiene 3 y Venezuela tiene 1. Gracias a ellos tenemos agua fluyendo de las montañas a los campos agrícolas y a las ciudades…

#PhotoChallenge: August 2021

#PhotoChallenge: August 2021

We are back for the second month of the #PhotoChallenge with team Africa! Our #PhotoChallenge inspires action across the region, highlights the vibrant landscapes and environments our team members are working in, and showcases the beautiful backyards of Y4N Global Ambassadors in Rwanda, Nigeria, and Kenya. We hope you are loving these photos as much as we are!

Reflections from the Food Systems Pre-Summit: A youth perspective

Reflections from the Food Systems Pre-Summit: A youth perspective

“It is clear after the Pre-Summit that food systems play a major role in achieving the SDG goals for 2030. We have 9 harvest seasons left until 2030 and if any change is to occur, especially on a system wide scale, all stakeholders must come together and create policies that will span across all components of food systems, along all chains, and individuals.”

#PhotoChallenge: July 2021

#PhotoChallenge: July 2021

To inspire action across the region, our #PhotoChallenge takes on the warmth of our inspiring Global Ambassadors from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt and many other African nations.

These photos inspire action from all of us, by showcasing the amazing landscapes, environments and actions young people are taking at the local level; and for you, we hope that these equally inspire you.

RECAP: Meghna Knowledge Forum

RECAP: Meghna Knowledge Forum

In June of 2021, the Y4N team joined our partners at the Meghna Knowledge Forum to participate in the first ever multi-stakeholder exchange about sustainable and inclusive management of the Megha River Basin, which stretches across Bangladesh and India.

During the Forum, we hosted an interactive side session for youth called The River Game to discuss the interconnections…

Pollinators For Our Survival Webinar Series Summary

Pollinators For Our Survival Webinar Series Summary

The Pollinators For Our Survival webinar series drew a great deal of focus towards the significance of pollinators responsible for the survival and existence of our food systems, and ultimately for humanity. The three packed series took a deep dive into the significance of pollinators; further taking into account their conservation value and status in a 21st century world. Read on for a summary of the series and how to learn more!

If nature could speak, what would it say? A message from Tampere, Finland

If nature could speak, what would it say? A message from Tampere, Finland

If nature could speak, what would it say? In this blog post, we invite Eteläpuisto (or South Park, in English) from Tampere, Finland, to share a little bit about their history, roots, biodiversity, and connection to the city and its people.

National Indigenous History Month & Canada’s Indian Residential School Systems

National Indigenous History Month & Canada’s Indian Residential School Systems

In Canada during the month of June, not only do we celebrate pride month, but we also celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Celebrating June in this way began in 2009, after a unanimous motion passed by the House of Commons. Normally it is a time to celebrate the “history, heritage and diversity” of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples in Canada. However, this year's celebration has been stained with sadness for Indigenous People across Canada after the news released Thursday, May 27th of 215 children’s bodies found beneath the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Businesses for nature: 3 enterprises from the Baltic Sea region on a mission to save the planet

Businesses for nature: 3 enterprises from the Baltic Sea region on a mission to save the planet

Social change can look like many things - and one path towards a green future can happen through social entrepreneurship. This is the spirit that we brought to the “Breakfast talks” webinar, organized jointly by Youth4Nature and the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBBS), through the Baltic Sea Youth Platform. During this webinar, three entrepreneurs based in the Baltic Sea region - Finland, Latvia, and Estonia - showed us what social entrepreneurship looks like, and today we bring you…

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit

Couldn’t join our sessions at the IUCN One Nature, One Future Global Youth Summit? Well you’re in luck! Grab yourself a tea and have a seat - we have put together recaps and reflections from our sessions, including summaries, our key takeaways and some of our favourite quotes! Let’s dive in…

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit: Nature-based Solutions or Nature-based Excuses?

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit: Nature-based Solutions or Nature-based Excuses?

Youth4Nature joined forces with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and YOUNGO to put together this event, which served as a launching pad for our recently published Nature-based Solutions Information Brief, and for our upcoming Global Youth Consultation and Youth NbS Position statement. The event came in two sessions…

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit: Nature, Climate & Youth Engagement within the Private Sector

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit: Nature, Climate & Youth Engagement within the Private Sector

Stepping into our intergenerational and cross-sector discussion on the private sector’s engagement with youth and for climate and nature, it was clear that there are many conflicting opinions and dichotomous understandings. Before we introduced our speakers, we asked the audience to share what words come to mind when they think about private sector and nature, and the two most prevalent words were…

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit: Nature-based Solutions for People, for Justice and for Nature

Reflections from the IUCN Global Youth Summit: Nature-based Solutions for People, for Justice and for Nature

People are part of the nature, and unlikely the common speech says, not all people are responsible for the climate and biodiversity crisis the world is facing! There’s actually people who have always protected and lived in harmony with nature, those people are Indigenous, local, Quilombola communities and other groups who understand the importance of nature…

UNEMG Gender and Biodiversity Nexus dialogue

UNEMG Gender and Biodiversity Nexus dialogue

“Women and girls are critical to unlocking a planet within which people can thrive.” Benjamin Schachter, a Human Rights Officer and a focal point on climate change and the environment at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Tracing back…

Art + Activism

Art + Activism

Youth4Nature recently introduced the use of art as a unique and particularly accessible form of storytelling, one which can transcend language barriers and draw others to empathize with the storyteller. We believe that art is a powerful tool in improving individual mental and emotional well-being, a powerful tool for activism and the dissemination of important messages, and a strong part of the identity of a culture.

Focus on Europe & Central Asia: Time for a Climate of Change 

Focus on Europe & Central Asia: Time for a Climate of Change 

In September 2020, Youth4Nature joined Youth and Environment Europe to design a series of youth-led webinars and online dialogues for #ClimateOfChange, a pan-European campaign to build a better future for climate-induced migrants and the effect of the climate crisis on the region…

Statement in Response to Climate Ambition Summit

Statement in Response to Climate Ambition Summit

This Summit, while a step forward, is an example of the slow pace that decision-makers are taking in response to the climate crisis. While the official press release applauded the supposed increased ambition, we must continue to apply pressure for the urgent and bold action needed by COP26.

#JusticeForAfrica

#JusticeForAfrica

This blog began from our desire to bring awareness to the #endSARS crisis that is ongoing in Nigeria. From there, we have been in conversation with our brothers and sisters in Africa and want to open this conversation to bring light to the array of hardships they are facing at this very moment. We stand in solidarity with all who are affected by these crises, and we hope that we can help bring attention - and therefore action - to support our community in Africa.