TakingITGlobal

A common consensus among all youth is that change must occur at all levels of organization; from individuals to governments. Local governments have the responsibility to implement tariff systems to reduce pollution and excessive energy consumption, and to offer financial incentives for renewable energy production and research on increasing efficiency. They must also provide subsidies to individuals and industries to encourage investment and use of efficient technologies and products, such as smart grids and high efficiency electric cars. Individuals must take action in their own lives to practice living sustainably, and to pressure their governments to improve energy production systems. Regulating and monitoring our energy resources is one of the key factors in our plan to transition to green renewable energy. We recognize that regional factors need to be considered when developing monitoring systems. However, young people from all regions agree that carbon taxation is one strategy to regulate and monitor carbon emissions. For example, high school students in South Africa suggest that carbon taxes be based on carbon footprint size. Similarly, Canada currently uses per- capitaemissions to set their carbon tax. Although carbon taxes may take different forms in various nations, depending on differences in legislative bodies and needs, we believe carbon taxation is an essential strategy to reduce emissions. Green energy resources are crucial to the development of a modern energy sector. However, in many developing nations green energy is not considered to be of high financial priority. This is true in Ghana, where they are facing an energy crisis. Students from Ghana believe that a financially responsible solution to the crisis would be the allocation of technologies and expertise from foreign aid agencies and governments. Implementing the solutions from other countries would allow Ghana and similar nations to develop their own green energy resources, and thus provide more sustainable growth of their nation. "Ghana is currently experiencing an energy crisis, meaning that a shift towards green energy is crucial." (Ghana) "Offering expertise in the form of trained engineers would be of great benefit." (Peru) Water and Oceans We demand that governments enact the following policies to protect our clean drinking water and reduce the negative effects of climate change on our oceans: • Impose and adhere to water restrictions to reduce drought. • Impose strict penalties on those who cause water pollution. • Invest in sustainable water infrastructure. • Take action to preserve our aquatic biodiversity in freshwater and oceans.

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