Policymakers must recognize and consider the role of young people in climate change mitigation, as many youth-led actions on the ground have had a direct impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This was highlighted during a panel discussion titled “Today for Future: Youth Inclusive Action to Accelerate a Just Energy Transition” at the Indonesia Pavilion during the COP29 UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday, November 15, 2024.
Leyla Hasanova, COP29 Presidency Youth Climate Champion, emphasized the need for decision-makers to listen to the voices of youth as inheritors of the Earth’s future. “We, the younger generation, also need to build our capacity so that our voices can be heard,” Leyla said.
Gamma Thohir, the founder of Desa Bumi, stressed that the most effective way for youth voices to be acknowledged is through real action. “Youth movements should not just exist on paper. The best approach is to contribute to initiatives that have a tangible impact on communities,” he said.
Desa Bumi is a community empowerment initiative focused on clean energy development. Gamma launched it in 2015 at the age of 15 in Ciptagelar Village, where he initiated the construction of a micro-hydro power plant (MHP) with a capacity of up to 40 kW, providing electricity for 75 households and a youth education center.
Desa Bumi’s projects have since expanded to Liyu Village and Bangkiling Village in South Kalimantan, and Sukobubuk Village in Pati, Central Java, where solar power plants have been established. These small-scale renewable energy projects collectively reduce carbon emissions by 130 tons per year.
Gamma expressed gratitude for the positive impact of Desa Bumi on community well-being. In Bangkiling Village, the electricity generated has increased local productivity, particularly in fish farming, boosting incomes by up to 70% since 2022.
To expand Desa Bumi’s impact, Gamma has partnered with the Society of Renewable Energy (SRE), an initiative involving youth from various regions in Indonesia. Zagy Y. Berian, founder of SRE, emphasized the importance of showcasing the tangible results of youth-led climate action to build trust with policymakers. “We need to present evidence to engage with the government,” he said.
Zagy also noted that to amplify youth voices, messages should be strategically disseminated through various media, including new platforms like podcasts.
Meanwhile, Joyce Mendez, Youth Climate Advisor to the UN Secretary-General, shared a similar clean energy initiative in the Amazon rainforest. Joyce highlighted that electrification using renewable energy has provided indigenous communities in the Amazon with better access to education and food security.
