Challenges and Solutions for a Sustainable Food System with an Emphasis on Youth Participation
Greta Thunberg's Fridays for Future demonstrations resumed on Sept. 24, uniting climate protesters in Berlin, London, Rome and other European cities. (Copyright AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
This article highlights the significant challenges that young people face today, issues that are critical to their futures. Past methods of communication and efforts to address these problems have fallen short, but youth empowerment has proven successful in climate fights, particularly regarding food security, because young people bring innovative ideas, passion, and a strong commitment to sustainability. They often leverage social media to raise awareness, drive grassroots movements, and advocate for policy changes that prioritize eco-friendly agricultural practices and food systems. Their involvement fosters greater community engagement and collaboration, leading to diverse solutions that combine traditional knowledge with modern technology. Additionally, as future leaders and decision-makers, empowered youth are key in promoting climate resilience, advocating for local food systems, and encouraging sustainable consumption practices that reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. This generational shift not only enhances their agency in combating climate change but also ensures that food systems are equitable, sustainable, and adaptable to the challenges of the future.
A sustainable food system is crucial for the future of our planet. It ensures that food production is environmentally friendly, protects natural resources, and minimizes the negative impacts of climate change. However, the transition to such a system is fraught with challenges. One of the primary issues is our current dependence on intensive agricultural practices that contribute to soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation. It is essential to change this approach as soon as possible, as it is becoming increasingly unacceptable for the long-term health of our planet.
Another fundamental problem is the unequal distribution of food, resulting in abundance and waste in one part of the world while others suffer from food insecurity. This imbalance creates tensions within society, dividing the world into two opposing groups that struggle to agree on the future of the food system. Additionally, we must address global dependence on food imports and confront climate change, which threatens the stability of food production.
Let’s be honest: our current food systems are failing. Although young people can play a pivotal role in transforming these systems, they have largely been overlooked by existing policies and frameworks at both international and national levels. Young individuals are vital for advancing sustainable food systems, revitalizing the agricultural sector, and promoting the progressive realization of the right to adequate food within the context of national food security. Their adaptability and innovative ideas are crucial for driving meaningful change, making youth a dynamic and passionate force for healthy, sustainable food systems.
In the search for solutions, we have come across promising examples of youth organizations and projects that demonstrate how young people can be empowered to fight for a more sustainable world.
The first example is Fridays for Future, a youth movement initiated by Greta Thunberg in 2018. The movement quickly gained global attention through social media and is now active on every continent. This was a remarkable moment when youth stood up for their rights, challenging us to confront the realities of the climate crisis by skiping Friday classes. Every young person participating in Fridays for Future embodies the essence of acting on one's conscience, reminding us that we are more powerful than we realize and that we all share a responsibility to protect human rights against climate catastrophe.
Fridays for Future's protests have successfully influenced both citizens and political elites, although the effects have predominantly been short-term. The long-term impact of these mass protest experiences on activists is expected to materialize fully in the coming years.
A second example is the 'BlueLightS' project, which aims to strengthen blue education in Europe and integrate this concept into the EU's education systems. BlueLightS builds on the proactive development of the blue education community, fostering strong participation and synergies with initiatives such as Mission Ocean and EU4Ocean. The project supports targeted communication and promotional activities and focuses on nine experimental countries with varying levels of blue education development. BlueLightS empowers youth to engage in local democracy and devise solutions for community challenges, including climate-related issues. Its programs help young people understand and influence local policies, fostering civic responsibility and community engagement.
The strength and success of BlueLightS are grounded in the practical tools and frameworks it provides for youth engagement, enhancing local democratic processes and creating a network for young leaders.
A third inspiring example is the WWF's 'Climate Heroes' project, which has empowered young people in Central and Eastern Europe to take an active role in combating climate change. This project trained 120 young leaders (aged 15-24) from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and the Czech Republic, who subsequently organized more than 50 climate protection initiatives. The Climate Heroes education program focuses on developing leadership and organizational skills, designing, planning, and implementing initiatives and citizen actions, and fostering direct involvement in climate change activities and discussions.
Based on these three youth initiatives, several key lessons emerge regarding youth activism, engagement, and empowerment in addressing climate change and social issues:
- The power of collective action is critical for raising awareness and pressuring policymakers.
- Grassroots movements, civic engagement, and local action can create significant local impact while contributing to global goals.
- Education and capacity-building are essential for enabling youth to become informed advocates for environmental sustainability.
- Diverse strategies for advocacy — such as protests, community engagement, and educational programs — cater to different interests and strengths within youth networks, making movements more inclusive.
- Effective intergenerational collaboration between youth and established organizations or older generations can amplify the impact of initiatives. Engaging with experts and stakeholders enhances the credibility and effectiveness of youth-led actions.
- The utilization of digital platforms and tools demonstrates how social media can be leveraged for activism, facilitating communication, mobilization, and campaign organization to reach broader audiences.
- The experiences of these initiatives highlight that persistence and resilience are crucial in overcoming challenges.
- These initiatives emphasize not only raising awareness of issues but also promoting actionable solutions and encouraging participation in transformative projects.
In conclusion, these youth initiatives collectively illustrate that through collaboration, education, and the strategic use of digital tools, young people can drive significant social and environmental change. They underscore the importance of empowering youth, engaging communities, and fostering inclusive movements that acknowledge both local and global dimensions of activism.
Youth can play a key role in shifting the food system toward sustainability. Raising awareness and increasing support for these initiatives could help ensure that youth empowerment is an effective tool in the fight for environmentally sound agriculture and a sustainable food system.
It is essential for the future of our planet to promote a swift transition to more sustainable agricultural practices that protect biodiversity and natural resources. The active involvement of youth in agroecology could facilitate innovation and knowledge exchange while providing new impetus for policymaking to ensure long-term rural development and environmental protection.
This project is co-funded by the European Union within the framework of the “Towards an open, fair and sustainable Europe in the world - Fourth Trio EU Presidency Project”. Its contents are the sole responsibility of CEEweb for Biodiversity and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
