Climate change is a global issue that is impacting all generations. However, with its increasing level of uncertainty, future generations are likely to bear the brunt of climate change. Therefore, bringing the youth on board the climate movement is crucial. The festival and forum on climate action and biodiversity conservation, which began yesterday in the capital, is doing this through discussions, documentary screenings, film-making competitions and other activities.
The event underscores the central role of the younger generation in meeting climate and environmental challenges. Talking to the young leaders of climate action, Opposition Leader Dorji Wangdi said Bhutan is fortunate to have sound environmental conservation policies.
International speakers present at the event underlined the importance of youth participation in combating climate change.
“When it comes to climate change, youth are going to be the ones inheriting the environment. We have seen these massive movements amongst youths to have a say in their future over climate change the past few years at several of these large international summits and other activities,” said Colin Shonk, the Counsellor and the Head of the Advocacy Programme at the Embassy of Canada.
The first day of the event also saw discussions surrounding Bhutan’s vulnerability despite being a carbon-negative country.
“The western world and the degradation they have already done have created vulnerability for sensitive countries like Bhutan. This is because of its unique location in the Himalayan Region; it is already prone to many disasters, especially led by the melting glaciers,” said P N Vasanti, the Director-General of the Centre for Media Studies, VATAVARAN.
For Bhutan, congregations like this are expected to empower future generations to stand up for climate change and encourage youth to follow in the footsteps of young Environmental Activists like Greta Thunberg. She is often on the global stage urging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigations.
“It is an issue that affects everybody and our young generation, our young students should be aware of what is happening around the world including Bhutan. So, this forum has definitely benefitted our students in understanding what is happening because of climate change and how they can play an important role as future leaders in mitigating the ill effects of climate change,” said Shiva Raj Bhattarai (PhD), the Dean of the Royal Thimphu College.
Alongside the forum, Ngawang Norbu (PhD), the Executive Director of the Bhutan Ecological Society and Dr Rebecca Pradhan, Senior Ecologist and Botanist at the Royal Society for Protection of Nature Bhutan were awarded the “Bhutan CMS VATAVARAN Green Ambassador Awards” for their contribution in the field of Biodiversity Conservation.
The three-day event in Thimphu ends today but a similar event will be held in Paro.
Chenga Dawa, News
Edited by Pema Lhaden
