Newsletters
October Newsletter
This newsletter was first sent by email to the members of our Research Network. If you would like to be part of it, sign up here.
PROJECT NEWS
This month, the Youth Climate Justice Project has launched several exciting initiatives.
Our team has published its first collective article outlining the postpaternalism theory. We argue that children are environmental rights leaders and that we should approach the UNCRC differently. Read the article: Climate Action and the UNCRC: A ‘Postpaternalist’ World Where Children Claim Their Own Rights (mdpi.com)
We’ve just launched a global study on children’s and youth involvement in climate litigation, and we invite young litigants from around the world to share their experiences and insights. You can find more information and participate in the study here.
In addition, we recently hosted our International Conference on Child- and Youth-Friendly Climate Justice, which explored progress and opportunities for young people in climate justice efforts. The event featured expert discussions and key learnings, which you can explore in detail here.
Finally, we are thrilled to introduce our new film highlighting the incredible work of the Youth Climate Justice Project. The film showcases the voices and stories of our Young Advisory Team members and their contributions to shaping a more just and sustainable future. Watch the film here.
NEXT ONLINE RESEARCH FORUM
Our next online research forum will be on Thursday, October 31st at 2pm (UTC). Benjamin Bowman will be presenting on “A different end of the world is possible”: grief, uncertainty and hope in young people’s climate action.
Dr Benjamin Bowman (Manchester Centre for Youth Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University) is a specialist in young people’s political sociology, and especially the sociology of climate change. Dr Bowman uses youth-centred and creative methods to explore how young people make sense of, and take action on, climate change. He is best known for Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) with young people on climate change, and for co-authorship, co-research and collaborative partnerships with young people on climate action, including at the international level with the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the British Council.
The recordings of our previous research forum are available here.
YOUTH CLIMATE APPLICATIONS/LITIGATION
Cancel Coal case – South Africa: The Pretoria High Court recently heard the "Cancel Coal" case, in which youth activists are challenging the South African government's plans for new coal-fired power plants. The case argues that these developments violate children's rights to a healthy environment, highlighting the need for climate policies that protect future generations. Read more here.
OPEN CALLS
2025 Competition Open Now: From Eco-Anxiety to Eco Action & Empowerment: The Trust for Sustainable Living has just launched their next competition inviting students to share their original, creative and expressive responses to the theme. More info: International Student Competition - Trust for Sustainable Living
Youth Climate Innovation Programme: The Youth Climate Innovation (YCI) Programme is a transformative initiative by the Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) designed to support young innovators from developing countries as they create, develop, and scale high-impact climate technology solutions that are both locally relevant and globally adaptable. More info: Home (youthclimateinnovation.com)
PUBLICATIONS
Article: Situating Held v. Montana in the Youth Climate Litigation Movement, by Daniel Ziebarth.
Article: The effect of extreme weather events on the frequency of child marriage: A systematic review of the evidence, by Anna Palmer, Aïché Danioko, Alissa Koski.
Article: How can we make better decisions for the future?, by Katie Reid, Diarmuid Torney and Benjamin Mallon.
Article: ‘I am really scared for the future’: climate distress among Brazilian youth, by Marina Schor, Susan Clayton, Maraysa Costa Vieira Cardoso, Marília Nunes Fernandes, Mirna Albuquerque Frota & Pamela J. Surkan
Book: Youth and democracy in the climate crisis, edited by Jamie Gorman, Tomi Kiilakoski, Lana Pasic and Esther Vallado.
Book: De Gruyter Handbook of Climate Migration and Climate Mobility Justice, edited by Andreas Neef , Natasha Pauli and Bukola Salami.
Report: Our Children's Trust submitted a five-page report to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressing the intersection of mental health and human rights in the context of climate change. The submission emphasizes the mental health impacts on children due to the climate crisis and calls for stronger protections of their rights. Read more here.
Report: Child Rights International Network (CRIN) is conducting the Children's Access to Environmental Justice research project, that aims to explore what role laws and policies play in protecting - or failing to protect - children when they speak out and seek justice and what we can do to make laws and policies better serve and protect children's environmental rights. They are currently publishing reports from 43 countries, and the conclusions/trends will be compiled in a global report. More about the project and the outputs: Children's Access to Environmental Justice — CRIN