Children, Climate Change, and the Intergenerational Right to a Viable Future

Promoting Intergenerational Justice Through Participatory Practices: Climate Workshops as an Arena for Young People’s Political Participation

“…The workshop was an acknowledgment of children’s and young people’s agency, similar to the approach described by Collin and Swist (2016) for using youth’s expertise for campaigns that are directed to youth. Children and youth are typically marginalized in the political sphere ( Lorgen and Ursin, 2021 ), including in climate politics ( Percy-Smith and Burns, 2013 ; Davies et al, 2016 ). Climate issues are extremely complex and often left for specialists to discuss and address.…”

“…In climate politics as in politics in general, adults are perceived as having the necessary maturity and expertise, and they have the duty to protect the rights of children and the unborn ( Davies et al, 2016 ). Cohen (2005) , however, questions whether parents represent their children’s interests at the ballot box (that is, whether they know what their children wish and whether this corresponds with their own wishes).…”

“…As Qvortrup (2009) underscores, children as a generational category might have different priorities than adults. This is particularly relevant in climate politics, where the youngest generation are most vulnerable to climate change and climate induced effects and will bear the brunt of the impacts of long-term climatic changes ( UNICEF, 2008 ; Davies et al, 2016 ). For instance, while experts could be setting their hopes on individually owned electric vehicles, the young participants leaned toward public transportation by combining the use of publicly owned bikes and other modes of transit such as trains and buses.…”

“…This helps reposition children and youth in policymaking in climate politics (cf. Gardiner, 2012Gardiner, /2003Davies et al, 2016) PHOTO 5 | Materials displayed in 'corridors of power.' and ensure their participatory rights as they may provide their opinions (United Nations, 1989, Article 12) by using a medium of their own choice (Article 13).…”

“…Thus, children and youth hold an important position as betwixt-and-between. According to Davies et al (2016) , children’s position in regards to climate change, politics and intergenerational justice is marked by four factors: (1) Children are vulnerable to climate change and climate induced effects due to their physiology and immature immune systems, lack of access to financial resources and means of transit, high care needs, and dependence on adults; (2) Children and unborn generations will bear the brunt of of long-term climatic changes; (3) Children are our closest connection to future generations; and (4) Children’s views are traditionally excluded from legal and political debates concerning climate politics. The Climate Workshop described below was aimed at countering this by including children’s and youth’s perspectives in the shaping of regional climate policy.…”