A community, still reeling from the joy of the Eid holidays just couple of days earlier, was now mourning. The tiny coffins of nine young students were carried through the rain-drenched streets of Samad al-Shan, a village in the eastern part of Oman. The children aged between 10 and 14, all from the same family, tragically lost their lives to sudden floods that were brought on by a catastrophic storm that swept mercilessly through the region. The stark contrast between the recent festivities and the current mourning deepened the collective sorrow—each small coffin, shrouded in grief and carried under the relentless downpour, represented a future unfulfilled—potential scientists, teachers, and leaders who would never have the chance to contribute to their community or the world.
This heartbreaking scene was not an isolated tragedy. Still, it occurred amidst some of the most severe weather the region has ever witnessed, including the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the UAE. Increasingly extreme weather events highlight a troubling escalation in climatic volatility across the region—an unsettling trend that experts link to the broader global climate change crisis.
The tragedy of these young lives lost, and the extraordinary storm that claimed them, have galvanized the youth of Oman and their peers across the Arab world. Moved by their personal losses and the visible changes in their environment, young Omanis are increasingly determined to act. Their sorrow is turning into a call for urgent environmental reform: Voiced powerfully through social media platforms, Arab youth are demanding robust, forward-thinking policies that prioritize immediate and long-term climate resilience.
Demand for Action
In our opening article of the "Echoes of Tomorrow" series, we delved into the vibrant activism of Arab youth, underscored by a groundbreaking study that painted a picture of a generation poised to confront the climate crisis head-on. Continuing this path, we uncover a more disconcerting aspect of their journey: Demand for more robust governments' responses to environmental challenges, particularly in heavily impacted regions.
The survey data from our comprehensive study reveals a stark disconnect between the expectations of Arab youth and the actions taken by their governments. In Iraq and Sudan, over 60% of the youth surveyed expressed explicit dissatisfaction, noting that the efforts to combat climate change are grossly inadequate given the scale and immediacy of the threats they face daily. This sentiment is echoed across the region, with an average of 53% of Arab youth feeling that their governments are not doing enough, a theme that resonates deeply within their collective consciousness.
This gap between expectations and reality is more than a matter of unmet demands; it represents a critical misalignment with the urgent and innovative approaches the youth deem necessary to address the climate crisis effectively. Young people expect dynamic, robust, and transparent climate policies that go beyond mere rhetoric to deliver tangible results. They also look for initiatives that can mitigate climate change's current impacts and prepare their communities for future challenges. These expectations are shaped by their experiences and the knowledge they have acquired about what is possible and necessary to safeguard their environment.
The perception of inadequate governmental action fuels a more profound commitment among these young individuals to advocate for change. It propels them into digital and physical spaces, where they raise their voices louder, more frequently. They are not just reacting to the slow pace of policy implementation, but are actively seeking to influence and reshape it. Expressing their dissatisfaction through various mediums including social media campaigns, participation in environmental NGOs, and more, they are taking the reins of advocacy. This, they are determined, will steer their countries towards more sustainable and effective climate policies.
Bridging the Gap: Aspiring for a Greener Future
It is evident that Arab youth are not merely passive observers of their environmental future. Driven by their experiences and understanding of the inadequacies in governmental climate actions, many young individuals are showing a strong inclination towards forging their own path in the green economy. This pursuit is informed by their desire to actively contribute to solutions, rather than wait for reforms that may not fully align with the urgency of the climate crisis.
Our study indicates that an overwhelming majority of Arab youth, approximately 73%, are eager to engage in sustainability-focused careers, which they view as a direct means to effect change. This career drive stems from a deep-seated desire to mitigate the impacts of climate change that they have witnessed first-hand, such as the increasing frequency and severity of weather events across the region. The passion for such roles is further fueled by the belief that through professional engagement in green sectors, they can contribute to building more resilient communities and economies.
However, the path to these careers is fraught with challenges, primarily due to a significant skills gap. Despite significant interest in green jobs, only about 45% of those surveyed feel they possess the necessary competence to contribute to these roles effectively. This discrepancy underscores an urgent need for educational reforms that address existing curriculum gaps and anticipate the skills required for future sustainability challenges. Academic institutions are, thus, called upon to integrate comprehensive climate science, sustainable development practices, and green technology into their programs to prepare a workforce capable of driving the environmental agenda forward.
The skills gap highlighted in our findings points to a critical area where governmental action can significantly make a difference. By aligning educational programs with the needs of the green economy, governments can empower young people to take on the roles they aspire to. This alignment would not only fulfill career aspirations but also help bridge the gap between current policy measures and actions needed to combat climate change effectively.
Moreover, by investing in targeted education and training programs, governments can demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development that goes beyond policy announcements to tangible action. This can alleviate some of the dissatisfaction among the youth, showing a governmental willingness to support their ambitions and acknowledge their role as crucial stakeholders in the fight against climate change.
The Digital Pulse of Climate Activism
Parallel to their career aspirations, Arab youth leverage digital platforms to voice their concerns and advocate for environmental change. The study demonstrates that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are crucial tools in their activism arsenal: 68% of participants regularly use social media to engage with and spread awareness on climate issues. These platforms serve as vital channels for mobilizing community action and fostering a broad-reaching dialogue on sustainability.
Widespread use of social media amplifies users’ messages and enhances their ability to organize and mobilize at both local and global levels. It allows them to create a unified front, pushing for changes that align with their experiences and the stark realities of climate science they witness daily.
The intersection of career aspirations and digital advocacy among Arab youth offers a poignant reminder of where governments often fall short and where the youth are stepping up. Recognizing and supporting these dual aspects can bridge the gap between current policies and the younger generation's expectations. Governments can tap into this energy by fostering conditions that cater to the skills required in a green economy and acknowledging the power of digital platforms as legitimate spaces for public discourse and policy influence. Such actions would address widespread frustrations. and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future driven by informed, skilled, and motivated young citizens.
At the heart of addressing this gap are youth-driven climate movements in the Arab world, like the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change (AYCCC), Arab Youth Climate Movement (AYCM), and Climate Action Network Arab World (CAN-Arab World), to name a few. The latter all use digital platforms as a mode of advocacy and epitomize the power of youth-led initiatives, showcasing the vigor and determination of young people to make a difference. AYCCC, established due to having two back-to-back COPs in the region, embodies this ethos by fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation among Arab youth. Through landmark campaigns such as their flagship Climate Literacy Course, Arab Youth Toolkits, and the Arab Youth Guide, all aimed at enhancing awareness and youth participation, AYCCC has empowered thousands of young men and women using digital platforms. AYCM and CAN-Arab World further amplify this youth-driven momentum, serving as beacons of empowerment and mobilizing young voices to catalyze action on climate change. By championing youth-led solutions, amplifying their voices on the global stage, and providing them with the necessary skills to be on the negotiating table, these organizations redefine the narrative of climate action in the Arab world. They also inspire governments to invest in youth-focused education and skill-building programs. Together, they stand as a testament to the immense potential of young people to effect positive change and drive progress towards a sustainable future.
Turning Tragedy into Catalysts for Change
As we honor the memories of Ahmed, Mohammed Badr, Raed, Bassam, Al Moataz, Kahlan, Yahya, Basil, and Mohammed Moosa from the Abdali tribe—children whose lives were tragically cut short by the recent catastrophic floods in Oman— their untimely passing must serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change. They are not just casualties of an extreme weather event but poignant symbols of the devastating toll climate change can exact on our communities.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and actionable climate policies that not only reflect the aspirations of Arab youth but also address the harsh realities they face. It is crucial for stakeholders at all levels—government, private sector, and civil society—to acknowledge and actively support the voices of these young individuals. By doing so, we can harness the resilience and advocacy of informed, engaged Arab youth, empowered through education and digital engagement, to highlight their transformative power in driving meaningful change.
In the next installment of the series, we will delve deeper into how Arab youth perceive the role of multilateralism and the global community in addressing climate justice. We will explore their views on international cooperation and how global frameworks can — or should, evolve to address the realities of climate change more effectively. Their stories will serve as a beacon for ongoing efforts to secure a sustainable and equitable future, ensuring that the lessons learned from their experiences will lead to effective and lasting solutions.
