In the digital era, young people hold a strategic role in environmental protection efforts. Their contribution to safeguarding the environment has become increasingly significant. They play a vital role in waste management initiatives, including reducing the consumption of products that rely on single-use plastics. Social media has also become an effective medium for revitalizing environmental awareness campaigns.
A researcher from the UGM Center for Environmental Studies, Professor Djati Mardiatno, said that young people play a major role in raising public awareness of environmental protection efforts through social media.
“By actively engaging in digital campaigns, they can also organize and participate in direct environmental actions,” he explained on Tuesday (Jun. 9).
According to Professor Mardiatno, as the generation that will inherit the future, young people are naturally positioned to play a strategic role in environmental conservation today. Therefore, he believes they will strive to do what is best for the environment they will live in in the years ahead.
“They have a very important role because, with the characteristics of today’s generation, they can carry out environmental activities more effectively and efficiently in ways that align with the lifestyles and preferences of young people,” he said.
However, Professor Mardiatno noted that the role of young people is strongly influenced by previous generations. They learn from past experiences and can therefore take action to address current environmental challenges. Today’s youth directly experience the environmental consequences of government policies, fostering greater awareness of the need to minimize and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
“They must avoid repeating the mistakes made by previous generations,” he emphasized.
Professor Mardiatno added that young people are a generation that has grown up in a fully digital environment, making digital media inseparable from their activities. He explained that digital platforms are used to encourage the public to become more environmentally conscious, adopt environmentally friendly behaviors, and develop greater environmental awareness. This is evident in the abundance of environmental content shared across digital media platforms.
“Many activities that go viral on social media can be used to raise public awareness of environmental challenges,” he said.
Professor Mardiatno stressed that environmental movements have existed for a long time; what has changed is the approach.
“The media are different, and the circumstances are different, but the challenges being addressed are essentially the same. The differences lie in the approaches and perspectives used,” he explained.
Reflecting on the growing role of young people in environmental protection, Professor Mardiatno highlighted two key actions needed to sustain youth contributions to environmental issues. First, digital campaigns through social media, which he described as a fast and efficient way to disseminate information. Second, concrete action. He emphasized that practical environmental initiatives provide direct examples for the wider community. As an example, he pointed to small campus-based movements, such as Lokalogi UGM, which can grow into broader environmental initiatives.
“It begins with individuals, then develops into small groups and eventually larger movements. There must be synergy between social media campaigns and real-world action,” he concluded.
Author: Fatihah Salwa Rasyid
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: Magnific