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On the 18th of November, the Dublin Writers Museum was the stage for ECO-UNESCO’s National Youth Forum 2007, which explored the theme "Choices for the Future".
Fifty-four young people, between 15 and 18 years old attended the event, and some of them came from as far from Dublin as Tralee (Co. Kerry)!
During the forum, the young people were invited to discuss current environmental issues and to take part in a survey on young people’s views on the environment. ECO-UNESCO asked the questions, and collected the answers. Click here to download the partial analysis of this survey
Our survey revealed that the most worrying environmental issue for the young people who participated in our event is Climate Change. Our young people understand that the major contributors to Global Warming are essentially Burning of fossil fuels/emission of gases (CO2). They couldn't disagree more with the sentence "Recycling is a waste", because recycling saves resources and energy and helps the environment.
The major issues or challenges that affect young people in society today are Family problems and drug and alcohol misuse. Environmental problems and Depression seems to be the least pressing issues.
Most of our participants feel moderately involved in their community. Some examples of this involvement are: "Work in a youth club; Special Olympics volunteer; local scouts; Membership in the Green Schools committee"
The majority of the participants totally agree with the idea that technology can save the planet from destruction; spending more time and money developing new technologies can help solving environmental problems.
We have learned also that our young people feel they learn "a lot" in school about issues like Climate Change, but "little" about Water pollution.
The success of the day was notable! Everyone had a great time and took home important lessons and "thinking material".
See the review of the day including photos
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