Youth Activism and Climate Change

Youth activism has emerged as one of the most powerful forces in the global climate change movement. Across the world, young people are rising to address the environmental crisis, advocating for policy change, and pushing for urgent climate action. In the Northern part of Ghana, where the impact of climate change is already being felt, youth activism is gaining momentum. From unpredictable rainfall to desertification and the increasing struggles of rural communities, the region is a focal point for environmental challenges. However, the youth in these areas are not standing idly by. They are stepping into roles as advocates, organizers, and changemakers, showing that the next generation can shape a more sustainable future.

Why Youth Activism Matters

In an atmosphere where the youth are the most affected by national and global despair, young people have taken the course of fighting for the next generation. They have taken the bold step to raise their voices against the injustices presented to them. Need I mention the numerous actions led by young people and the impact of these activities on policies and laws? Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Sweden have received some gratifying turn out of issues due to youth activism; some led by groups, others by single individuals.

Climate change does stand not in the distance, it is a threat to future generations and a pressing reality. Young people are often seen as more open to change and innovation, which makes them powerful agents in the fight against climate change. They are additionally perceived as the ones with fresh energy and zeal compared to the older generation. Their involvement brings fresh perspectives, creative solutions, and a deep commitment to justice.

In Ghana, the youth population is significant, with 57% of the population under the age of 25. This provides a large, energetic demographic that can be harnessed for climate advocacy. In the Northern part of the country, the effects of climate change are visible in changing rainfall patterns, which have severely impacted farming, one of the primary livelihoods of the people in the region. The need for local activism here has never been more urgent, and the youth are leading the charge.

Climate Change in Northern Ghana: A Call to Action

Northern Ghana is known for its savanna landscapes and its dependence on agriculture. However, due to recent human activities like bush burning, indiscriminate cutting of trees, and illegal mining which has caused a great climate change, the region’s rainy season has become increasingly unpredictable. When the rains come late, crops fail, and when they come in abundance, flooding displaces communities.

The role of youth in addressing these challenges is multifaceted. On the one hand, they are at the forefront of creating awareness, mobilizing their peers, and pushing for governmental accountability on climate action. On the other, they are innovators, coming up with solutions that combine traditional knowledge with modern approaches to mitigate the impact of climate change. Youth groups across the region are taking matters into their own hands, planting trees, organizing community clean-up exercises, and advocating for sustainable farming practices.

The Power of Youth-Led Movements

Globally, youth-led movements such as Fridays for Future, led by climate activist Greta Thunberg, have garnered widespread attention and influenced public discourse on climate change. In Ghana, particularly in the Northern regions, we see similar momentum, most of them sponsored by UN organizations, helping to push this agenda. There are young people and organizations like REEd.Africa, that is an initiative campaign with their target being Junior High Schools because they believe that when you make young people custodians of their lands, they will do all they can to protect it. The essence is that, by encouraging students to plant trees, they are directly combating deforestation and learning about the importance of environmental stewardship from a young age.

In places like Tamale and Yendi, youth groups are working together with local leaders to create long-lasting change through dialogue and on-the-ground actions. The involvement of young people is a testament to their deep sense of responsibility towards their environment.

One student interviewed after an engagement in one of the schools in Tamale, said, “We are the ones living through these changes every day. Our rivers are drying up, our farms are struggling. We can’t wait for someone else to fix this—we have to take charge.”

This kind of passion and commitment is what makes youth-led movements unique. Young people in Northern Ghana are aware that their activism could be the key to ensuring that future generations do not inherit a barren landscape.

Youth activism is not just a trend that every young person has to hop in just because it is a trend, it’s a necessary and deliberate response to the environmental crisis that we all face, but that they will bear the brunt of. In Northern Ghana, the stakes are particularly high, but the response has been inspiring so far. Young people are organizing, joining groups and advocating, and creating solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. From planting trees to pushing for sustainable agricultural practices, the youth are actively shaping the future they want to see. They are sending a clear message: they are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today.

We call on Governments, international organizations, and civil society to work in tandem with the youth to create policies and initiatives that ensure the fight against climate change is inclusive and effective.

In another article, I will discuss the gaps that are making activism difficult for young people. STAY TUNE!