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By Kaydee, Ingeus Youth Voice Ambassador
As a young person, climate change feels very personal to me. The decisions we make today will shape the world my generation inherits, and that's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about reducing carbon footprint and encouraging others to take action too.
We hear about climate change all the time. There is clear scientific evidence that the planet is warming, habitats are being destroyed, biodiversity is declining, pollution is increasing and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Reports suggest that global temperatures could rise significantly over the coming decades, bringing serious consequences for both people and the environment.
I believe that small actions can make a big difference. Here are some of the actions I have taken to help create positive change.
One of the first things I did was start picking up litter in my local area.
The parks, pavements, bus stops, and roadsides were filled with litter, which was contaminating wildlife and polluting our waterways.
I'm particularly concerned about plastic waste and single-use plastics. When litter enters rivers and oceans, it can break down into microplastics, which eventually find their way into the food chain and even our own bodies. Single-use plastics are another key contributor to climate change and pollution, and I’ve been looking at alternatives such as using sugarcane bags, which can be recyclable or compostable.
As well as making changes myself, I wanted to encourage others to get involved too.
At school, I helped run a recycling campaign and created posters on how to recycle correctly. This helped reduced the amount of rubbish thrown away and increased the amount being recycled.
Education is one of the most powerful ways to create change. When people understand the impact of their actions, they're much more likely to do something about it. Recycling may seem like a small task, but when more people do it correctly, it can significantly reduce waste and lower the emissions associated with creating new products from raw materials.
Another area I have tried to make changes in is how I buy and use clothes.
The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of carbon emissions globally and millions of tons of waste textiles each year. When I notice that I have too many clothes I am not grabbing often, I organise a clothes swap with friends, meaning everyone gets rid of clothes they do not want without having to buy new ones.
If there are clothes I know I won't wear again, I donate them to charity so someone else can benefit from them.
I volunteered with wildlife organisations, where I helped to conduct a biodiversity survey in local green spaces. This involves surveying the area and recording the number of different species present, which helps to combat biodiversity loss in the area. For example, rural hedgehog population in the UK has declined by 30-75% since 2000, mainly due to habitat loss.
These surveys help organisations understand how wildlife populations are changing and what action might be needed to protect them.
As young people, we will live with the long-term effects of climate change more than any generation before us.
The future can sometimes feel uncertain, but taking action gives me hope. Whether it's picking up litter, recycling, volunteering, reducing waste or making more sustainable choices, there are so many ways we can make a difference.
The social value of these actions goes beyond helping the environment. They bring communities together, improve local spaces, encourage positive behaviours and create a better future for everyone.
My message to other young people is simple: don't underestimate the impact of small actions. You don't need to dedicate hours every week or make huge changes overnight. Even ten minutes of your time can make a difference.
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