Environmental Citizenship and Youth Activism

Abstract

A citizen’s capacity to act in society as an agent of change is an important element of Environmental Citizenship. This chapter discusses the concept of activism and the importance of activism initiatives in the development of citizens’ willingness and competences for critical, active and democratic engagement in preventing and solving environmental problems. Several possible ways for young people to get involved in environmental activism are presented. Also discussed is the possible and desirable combination of youth activism with citizen science, as a catalyst for empowering future citizens with the willingness and the higher-level abilities for participating in the global effort for a sustainable development and assuming the responsibility for future generations. Youth activism represents a key element in Education for Environmental Citizenship, allowing students to exercise their environmental rights and duties and to develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that empower them as problem-solvers capable of facing the contemporary environmental problems.