Authors: Raysa & Steph
A lot of us are tired of hearing apocalyptic and catastrophic news about nature and the climate. Many times we are left wondering how we can change the situation and come together as a global community to solve problems associated with the breakdown of Earth's life-support systems.
There are many ways of practicing global solidarity to solve the eco-crisis together. One of these ways is through international meetings and conferences. These are events where NGOs, country representatives, the private sector, civil society, media, and more convene to agree on the next steps and solutions for our problems at hand.
In this blog post, we will explain the difference between environmental conferences through the lenses of Stockholm+50, a United Nations event organized to celebrate the 50 years mark of the first environmental conference, that also happened in Stockholm. We will also tell how you can be engaged in international meetings and policy spaces in the future to collaborate on climate and nature ✨
What is Stockholm+50
There are conferences where decision-making and negotiations towards agreements are made. And there are conferences where knowledge is shared about environmental issues, and where actors work together for a common narrative. Stockholm+50 was one of those conferences for the second case.
In June 1972, exactly 50 years ago, a landmark event had just taken place in Stockholm
For the first time under the United Nations banner, different people and organizations from across the globe sat together to discuss the relationship between humans & the environment. It is important to underline the fact that the historical context in which it took place was extremely relevant. It was a world divided by war, impacted by the oil crisis, and with an uncertain and shaken global economy.
Why do these events like Stockholm +50 matter? Because it was a historical moment of material and psychological importance for the world, one in which demands from the then newly independent sovereign countries tried to come to terms with the existing international sphere and with claims for a fairer distribution of power. For example, Olaf Palme, then Sweden’s Prime Minister, during the conference called the US bombing of Vietnam ‘’ecoside’’. The terminology and the claim remain timely, given that the same overarching North/South dominant framework still remains core to the ongoing climate change negotiations.
At Stockholm +50, a general feeling of nostalgia was present
Participants looked back and drew on past hopes of a better, fairer, and more sustainable feeling. Many of us were not born when commitments were made 50 years ago.
A feeling of hope came closely associated with a feeling of disappointment. 50 years had passed, and similar claims were still being made.
What have we done all of this time? Or better yet, what haven’t we?
During the conference, some of the main thematics were the importance of coding ecocide in international law, the historical responsibility of the North in the nature crisis, together with the global South demanding a similar right to develop as Global North countries; and the need for nonreciprocal climate treaties, which don’t impose conditions on developing and less developed countries. The need for technological transfers and aid reparations from the North for the damage caused historically was also mentioned during the high-level panels.
But, is it enough to just talk? We hear youth, grassroots organisers, and frontline communities around the world asking for action, for accountability, and for tangible timelines and milestones. We need action. How can we translate these themes into effective policy?
What Y4N did at Stockholm+50
Youth4Nature was present and active in Stockholm+50 to extend its knowledge base and networks. Our main goal was to connect with old and new friends in order to strengthen the existing youth-led ecosystem, especially in Europe and Central Asia, the region where the conference took place. It is only in a collective effort that the claims of the youth, those who hopefully won’t have to attend a Stockholm +100, will be truly listened to.
We attended several plenary and side events during those packed 2 days, together with their biggest supporters, trying to get a general feeling of what the main topics were both from the organiser’s and attendees’ perspectives when it comes to youth inclusion in policy-making.
The first moments at the event felt daunting
Being in international spaces face to face can often carry a big amount of invisible labor. There are several tricks one ought to quickly learn in order for the days to run smoothly, some of which are: plan logistics ahead (local public transport, picking up badges, etc.), wear comfortable clothes and shoes (this cannot be stressed enough!), bring a power bank for your devices, along with their changers (you never know), don’t forget to eat (running from one session to the other can be quite hectic), and do not be shy to just go over to someone to ask a question, present yourself, etc.
People and especially youth at these sorts of events are generally open to getting to know new people, projects, organisations, etc. Thus, being proactive even if hard might end up paying off! But again, this is easier said than done, and do not be angry at yourself for struggling at first or taking it slow.
“I felt like I was infiltrated, that somehow I didn’t belong there and was lucky enough to be let in. But on a second thought, that’s the exact place where the youth from across the globe ought to be.”
What were the main results from Stockholm+50?
As mentioned before, Stockholm+50 did not have a negotiated outcome, but rather Stockholm+50 brought together representatives of countries (UN member-states), youth representatives, and many stakeholders to discuss solutions to our common problems
The Agenda for Action, Renewal and Trust was published. We recommend checking point 9, which highlights the importance of intergenerational cooperation and the Youth Policy Paper
There were big talks on financing, economies, and ecocide. This shows a change in the narrative from 50 years ago when the main topics included underdevelopment and poverty. In Stockholm+50, the global community denounced the failures of capitalism and financing providing planetary well-being.
Ecocide discussions are especially important because they bring agency to nature and to nature actors.
While Stockholm+50 was not a decision-making or negotiation space, we will see the outcomes of the narrative feed into other upcoming climate and nature events. From a youth perspective, we definitely recommend keeping an eye on UNFCCC COPs and CBD COP, the Food Systems Summit, and the UN Oceans Conference.
How can you get further engaged in the work of environmental conferences?
Youth Constituencies: the best way to get involved with policy for climate and biodiversity: the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) and the Children and Youth Constituency to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change YOUNGO, for example, are always looking for new members.
The Y4N Europe and Central Asia team is always on the look for new members!
Youth Environment Europe: a coalition of environmental youth organizations in Europe
Other partners! (Generation Climate Europe, youth-led think tanks, local associations (i.e. Refood in Italy)
While Conferences are fancy and a great space to meet other fellow youth activists and have fun, a lot of work happens with your communities, on the ground, and on the local level, and it is as rewarding to engage with policy at your local community, at your municipality or country.
The youth-led environmental and climate change ecosystem in Europe is blooming. Several networks and organisations work together in order to shift the current environmental panorama in more sustainable and eco-friendly terms, at the local, national, regional, and international levels, both within and beyond the borders of Europe. Positive climate action and activism, in order to be most effective, have to strike a balance between personal and collective effort.