Bright Nkrumah (Global Change Institute, South Africa) will present on "South Africa’s youth – collective action in times of climate change."
Over the last two decades, courts have emerged as an important theatre where citizens seek to engage in climate governance. One of the key players that have, and continue to use this platform to forestall atmospheric depletion is youth. This subpopulation has become the face of climate activism as current greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) have been projected to exacerbate deluges, droughts, and heatwaves over the next three decades. As a result, there have been a growing number of young South Africans advocating for environmental justice. Surprisingly, their effort has not yielded the expected result as the country continues to emit high GHGs. Drawing from existing literature, the paper interrogates the lack of activism around climate litigation and under what conditions this pattern could be reversed in South Africa.
The Lunchtime Colloquium is free and open to the public. For further information, see the website of the Rachel Carson Center.
The Lunchtime Colloquium series consists of short, 20–30 minute presentations by fellows of the Rachel Carson Center. The talks are based on the fellow's own research, often focusing on their most recent project. Designed to stimulate discussion, the presentations are accessible and are aimed at a non-specialist audience.