Green Power Generation: Eco-Advocacy as a means of Youth Empowerment

Abstract

The scientific method implies that no problem is solved unless it is identified first. Along with surging crime rates, poverty and inequality, rampant corruption, gender and other issues, the natural resources deterioration had flourished throughout the world, however, it is not identified as a ‘general problem’ as the preceding problems had been. It is indeed a problem only for and of those who are prudent and concerned with it. In this scenario, the problem is implausible to be solved in the best proximity. On dealing with this, environmental advocacies have begun to emerge in the society lest the deterioration will come at worst that no kind of force could pacify the effects anymore. Never throughout history has the youth become united through organizations and groups in vying against a social issue. It is in the light of the environmental situation of today that the youth organizations campaigning for environmental protection have emerged. The youth becomes more aware of the issue and begin to combat it by means of concrete action and advocacy. It is in this context that this study is pursued to look thoroughly on the connection of environmental issues and the youth sector, and to find out its effect to the youth in the society. Researches on the environment and the youth, Key Informant Interviews, Surveys, and Participant-Observation have directed the study to the path leading to the explicit connection between the youth and the environment. The unanimous result of the data speaks of the youths as being more socially relevant as they respond to the imperatives of the society particularly through environmental protection. Because the problem on the environment will never be resolved if in the first place it is not identified as a problem (as the scientific method suggests), the youth does eco-advocacy to act on it and to acquaint the people with it so as to consider it as indeed a ‘general problem’. In such lead the youth becomes more empowered in the society.