Yogyakarta- International Youth Conference (IYC) at Yogyakarta attended by 144 youths from 37 countries has produced 32 important resolutions to manage climate and environment change for every country in the world. The result of conference from 20-25 February 2011 was stated in Yogyakarta Youth Declaration read in turns by representatives of four participants: Gina Karina (Indonesia), Ginesta Confait (Seychelles), Avril Mihembre (Zimbabwe), and Mikko Nivala (Finland).
The points of recommendation encourages every country to develop sustainable energy sources and promoting the use of renewable energy, such as solar energy, geothermal, and wind energy. Furthermore, it is followed by improving awareness of community about environmental issues through media, curriculum, education and youth activities. “Governments need to support conservation projects based on community, natural resources and regional development, green technology and clean technology, and give alternative of income sources for communities who are the most vulnerable one due to climate change,” said Gina in the international youth conference at Saphir Hotel, Friday (25/2).
Gina added that each country needs to encourage the development of conservation policy which considers the needs of the poor and marginalized. Each nation also determines incentive-based tax for companies to finance environmental and social projects for community hit by the impacts.
The state is expected to strengthen cooperation between government and private sectors, conduct everlasting forest management in preserving forest resources by considering forest role for human welfare. “(It is) Through mitigation and adaptation with climate change and legal drafting that considers tradition and local wisdom,” she said.
Besides, each nation should promote the exchange of knowledge and experience about mitigation and adaptation to climate change by establishing institutional networking, including institutions of education, civil community organizations, media, private sectors, governmental and religious institutions. Meanwhile, private sector is suggested to develop more eco-friendly products and to invest for eco-friendly programs, such as reducing emission of chemicals, poison, and hazardous waste and greenhouse gases. “Private sector should encourage the development of energy-saving products and promote green lifestyle to workers by motivating them to reduce the use of electricity and use public transportation more often,” said Avril.
The youth is expected to be actively involved in promoting various sciences about global environmental issues for community. That can be done by utilizing the advancement of information technology and information, including the use of social network web in implementing sustainable lifestyle, such as encouraging the use of products which can be recycled.