We need and only need nature-based solutions that truly put people and nature in focus. Ahead of UNCBD COP16, UNFCCC COP29, and UNCCD COP16, find out where we are feeling optimistic and where we see concern for NbS as it continues to take centre stage with states and decision makers, the private sector, and civil society.
We are thrilled to launch the "Narratives of Change" campaign, collecting stories from youth globally through an open call, emphasizing their experiences with climate change, biodiversity, and human mobility. Learn more and submit your story!
Our 2023 Impact Report showcases how young people catalyse significant impact for the entire climate and nature movement, beyond ourselves. We invite you to explore in this report how our work at Youth4Nature is contributing to more robust, resilient, and transformative change, and imagine with us the possibilities if the largest population group on the planet received more 0.76% of the climate funding.
Check out what was on the agenda at our post-COP28 event in Uganda! Through presentations, a Nature-climate clinic and interactive breaks, we delved into robust discussions on Nature and Climate Change ahead of the Climate and Biodiversity Conventions coming up later this year.
We need and only need nature-based solutions that truly put people and nature in focus. Ahead of UNCBD COP16, UNFCCC COP29, and UNCCD COP16, find out where we are feeling optimistic and where we see concern for NbS as it continues to take centre stage with states and decision makers, the private sector, and civil society.
Restoring the Heart of Kikuyu: Ondiri Wetland
Nestled in Kenya's Kikuyu Sub-County, Ondiri Wetland emerges as a geographical marvel, boasting the title of Afrika's second deepest quaking bog. Despite facing modern challenges like pollution and deforestation, the Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya (FOWK) tirelessly champion its restoration. Gazetted as a protected area, efforts include reforestation, fencing, and community partnerships. The recent Ondiri Run, commemorating World Wetlands Day, emphasized the urgent need for conservation. As we navigate through the delicate balance between human activity and environmental preservation, Ondiri Wetland stands as a testament to the enduring connection between humanity and nature.
In restoration, one never gets the real experience until they get hands-on in the field. We had the privilege to host the youth teams at our Big Ship offices, where they explored some of our successfully restored sites, took part in mangrove planting exercise and got first hand experience of what mangrove restoration feels like. Together, we learned and unlearned some of the Nature-based solutions, best practices in mangrove restoration and conservation, and how they integrate with community livelihoods.
Youth4Nature is proud to announce the launch of a for-youth by-youth restoration project-INUKA. The project, which launches on 20 March 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, seeks to take advantage of experiential learning to deliver training on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) best practices, youth leadership and storytelling and scale-up solutions across five key landscapes in Kenya (Coastal Mangrove ecosystems, Inland wetlands, Semi-Arid, Highland forests and Agro-forestry ecosystems). INUKA is piloting in Kenya for 15 months following the launch, with scale-up plans to other Afrikan and Global South countries underway.
While international law has not given human rights protection to people being forced to migrate because of climate, it should be a priority for young people in the climate movement to make sure that every single community is included in the discussion, and that we are using the power of multiculturalism to create more useful and accessible solutions that can help those people not just to adapt to the climate change consequences, but also to co-lead on the solutions with other young people around the world.
The lack of a universally agreed upon definition of Nature-based Solutions, and the stemming concerns about human rights and missing biodiversity safeguards, are gaining traction. So the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, Youth4Nature and YOUNGO are joining forces to do something about it - we’re launching a much-needed by-youth and for-youth discussion and consultation on "nature-based solutions”. The work starts today.
Adoption of Nature-based Solutions specifically within cities has as well been identified to address a wide range of societal challenges; climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, economic and social development, human health, food security, water security, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. A great deal of emphasis thus should be put on practical NbS so as to boost greening and eco-friendly cities across the African continent.
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