A new survey has revealed that young Europeans and Africans consider climate change as the biggest threat to the world but there are significant variances in how seriously they take the threat.
The survey showed that while every single European respondent stated that they were very concerned about climate change, most participants from Africa did. However, other people who did not were worried about the effects of climate change, such as food poverty, extreme weather, and unfavourable economic conditions.
At the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the survey report was presented on November 16, 2022.
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The European Investment Bank, along with the citizen participation platforms Debating Africa and Debating Europe, released it.
The youth from Ghana, Chad, and Mauritania, nations that heavily rely on agriculture, saw a direct connection between agricultural production and climate change.
When the effects of climate change were felt elsewhere, Europe ignored them. Only when the impacts were felt by Europeans did the area begin to take action.
The participants were aware of the connections between climate change and other dangers including migration, a lack of resources, and conflicts.
The delegates from both continents agreed that despite its small contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, Africa continues to be the most vulnerable.
โPeople in Africa are much more affected by climate change than we are,โ said Alvaro, a participant from Europe.
The respondents considered funding and measures to fight climate change as crucial. They felt that there should be more investment in renewable energy sources. Interventions in renewable energy can prevent future warming and counter energy insecurity.
Story was adapted from Down to earth.
