Green Volunteerism – A new approach to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The Earth's climate has changed in great measure throughout history, and it significantly impacts human society, economic development, and ecological degradation. Understanding how to sustain green volunteerism among youth is an important issue to confronting today’s ecological challenges, especially when they may serve as future leaders of environmental movements. In a focus group setting, 25 representatives of multi-stakeholders discussed how and why students in higher education institutions participate in green volunteering. Transcripts from the conversation were analyzed to comprehend the motives, challenges, and benefits of youth engagement in green volunteering. Findings suggested that young adults are aware of and working on climate issues. A few issues were raised as challenges and/or demotivating factors in youth engagement among green volunteerism.