YOUTHS for Climate
Justice movement manager Sitwala Lipalile states that young people need to take a front role in combating this calamity, as they constitute the larger part of the population. Data from the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSATs) indicates that over half of
the country’s population are youths. “Given the drought that we just had (in the 2023/2024 rainy season), we saw that school
curriculum, from primary to tertiary education.
He explains that it is only when young people are well vested with knowledge on climate change that they can actively take part in addressing the problem. “Innovation and research should be driven in the education curriculum. For example, there was a story of a youth who was making fuel out of tyres. Such young people need to be supported by research, so that whatever is made is of Parents must take keen interest in what their children are doing on online platforms CHAABA over 9 million people were affected by drought. This should cause us (youths) to think about how we can be innovative, and deal with this challenge,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture indicates that the drought which affected various parts of the country left 9.8 million people in need of food aid. The calamity affected 84 out of the 116 districts in the country. Mr Lipalile states that one way of engaging youths is through incorporating climate acceptable quality,” said Mr Lipalile.
He states that in addition to innovation and research, there is need for a legal framework on climate change. “Firstly, our national policy on climate change needs to be revised to meet emerging challenges. We also need a Climate Change Bill to highlight measures of combating climate change, and ensuring stakeholder collaboration,” said Mr Lipalile