Resources

Climate Change and Lifestyles is the first in a series of guidebooks supporting the UNESCO/ UNEP YouthXchange (YXC) Initiative, which was created in 2001 to promote sustainable lifestyles among youth (15-24 years) through education, dialogue, awareness raising and capacity building. The series is being produced for young people and people working with youth, such as educators, teachers, trainers and youth leaders in both developed and developing countries. Almost half of the world’s population is under the age of 25, and nearly 90 per cent of them live in developing countries. Youth is a critical stakeholder in the global economy and will be the main actor and motor for change in the near future. Thus, the energy, motivation and creativity of youth are essential assets to stimulating change. Aims of the YXC Guidebook on Climate Change and Lifestyles:

• Explore the links between lifestyles and climate change; • Help young people consider the actions they should take towards more sustainable lifestyles;

• Support courses and actions that promote greater understanding of climate change and lifestyles among youth. The guidebook:

• Considers the causes and effects of climate change and its human impacts and responses, while connecting them to lifestyle choices and the technical and social infrastructures of a society;

• Provides scientific, political, economic, social, ethical and cultural perspectives on climate change;

• Explains complex issues in accessible language supported by facts, graphics, images, examples and web links;

• Develops the critical skills young people need to make personal choices to address the challenges of climate change.