xi
Building the resilience of youth to adapt to the impact of climate change is a
significant development challenge faced by policymakers in Small Island
Developing States (SIDS). Climate Change is already impacting negatively
on youth and their communities, their enterprises and their overall wellbeing, especially in locations exposed to seasonally extreme climatic events.
Little progress has been made in the last two decades on how to systemically
reduce vulnerability in the broader context of human and environmental systems. Minimal understanding exits on the youth perspective of climate
change. This knowledge gap denies policymakers and practitioners effective
climate change education and adaptation strategy implementations in preparation for youth resilience against the impacts of future climate changes.
The research explores the knowledge deficit between that which is known
and that which is necessary for young people to enhance local resilience to
climate change. Primary data was collected through interviews with 16 policymakers, focus group discussions with 11 youth-related organisations, participatory mapping and case studies. Theories around youth development,
education and training for climate adaptation in SIDS were reviewed and
implemented in the development of a framework assessing the vulnerability
of youths living in small island communities. The research explores the strategic effectiveness of actions within the context of top-down vs bottom-up
approaches. The framework provides policymakers with a toolkit to enhance
youth resilience capacity in SIDS to create sustainable livelihoods in SID
communities.
The study confirms notions that youth have been neglected in climate
change schemes, having inadequate knowledge and skills to adapt to climate
changes affecting them. Findings support the added value of the bottom-up
approach compared to the use of the top-down method within the framework
to improve youth practicality and awareness. Added value can be gained
when using a hybrid top-down and bottom-up approach. Findings also highlight key change enablers such as technological innovation, financial and
technical resource support, key officials’ engagement, conducive policy/
organisational environment and regional collaborations for youth empowerment in adapting to climate change in SIDS. The outcomes of the research
discussed with key stakeholders in St. Vincent and the Grenadines found the
framework applicable for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) on the island.
Therefore, based on the similarities of SIDS, this may encourage the application of the framework in other SIDS contexts and environments.
Abstract of the Book
Building the resilience of youth to adapt to the impact of climate change is a
significant development challenge faced by policymakers in Small Island
Developing States (SIDS). Climate Change is already impacting negatively
on youth and their communities, their enterprises and their overall wellbeing, especially in locations exposed to seasonally extreme climatic events.
Little progress has been made in the last two decades on how to systemically
reduce vulnerability in the broader context of human and environmental systems. Minimal understanding exits on the youth perspective of climate
change. This knowledge gap denies policymakers and practitioners effective
climate change education and adaptation strategy implementations in preparation for youth resilience against the impacts of future climate changes.
The research explores the knowledge deficit between that which is known
and that which is necessary for young people to enhance local resilience to
climate change. Primary data was collected through interviews with 16 policymakers, focus group discussions with 11 youth-related organisations, participatory mapping and case studies. Theories around youth development,
education and training for climate adaptation in SIDS were reviewed and
implemented in the development of a framework assessing the vulnerability
of youths living in small island communities. The research explores the strategic effectiveness of actions within the context of top-down vs bottom-up
approaches. The framework provides policymakers with a toolkit to enhance
youth resilience capacity in SIDS to create sustainable livelihoods in SID
communities.
The study confirms notions that youth have been neglected in climate
change schemes, having inadequate knowledge and skills to adapt to climate
changes affecting them. Findings support the added value of the bottom-up
approach compared to the use of the top-down method within the framework
to improve youth practicality and awareness. Added value can be gained
when using a hybrid top-down and bottom-up approach. Findings also highlight key change enablers such as technological innovation, financial and
technical resource support, key officials’ engagement, conducive policy/
organisational environment and regional collaborations for youth empowerment in adapting to climate change in SIDS. The outcomes of the research
discussed with key stakeholders in St. Vincent and the Grenadines found the
framework applicable for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) on the island.
Therefore, based on the similarities of SIDS, this may encourage the application of the framework in other SIDS contexts and environments.
Abstract of the Book