Under the Regeneration Generation: Youth Action and Meaning-Making in the Climate Crisis

Arin & Arisa Thongtang
6 days ago
3 min read

COP30, Belém — 19 November 2025

At COP30 in Belém, the session “Under the Regeneration Generation: Youth Action and Meaning-Making in the Climate Crisis” brought together youth activists from across the world to discuss how young leaders are reshaping climate action through collaboration, grounding, and lived experience. The conversation opened with a powerful acknowledgment of the global scale of climate injustice—from deepening droughts and El Niño impacts in the Global South to record floods sweeping across European nations. Panelists stressed that climate impacts are no longer confined to the world’s poorest regions; they are now universal, raising urgent questions about responsibility and climate finance. A recurring concern was who should pay for climate adaptation, loss and damage, and transition costs—especially as developing countries continue to bear disproportionate burdens despite contributing the least to emissions.

A major thread throughout the session centered on access to climate information, notably the difficulty of understanding highly technical reports such as the IPCC assessments. Panelists argued that democratizing climate knowledge is essential for public empowerment, effective policymaking, and meaningful youth participation. This was closely tied to discussions on the Global Stocktake, with young activists calling for clearer communication and stronger capacity building so communities can interpret data and take informed action. As one panelist bluntly noted, “We cannot care about what we cannot understand.”

Representing Thailand’s Below the Tides initiative, Arisa grounded the conversation in practical, youth-led conservation work. She shared how Below the Tides continues the legacy of the late Queen’s sea turtle conservation efforts while expanding into dugong protection, coral reef restoration, and broader marine ecosystem rehabilitation. Through collaboration with Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), these initiatives show how local, community-driven projects can spark wider engagement. She emphasized that although these projects may seem small, her purpose is to lead by example, proving that meaningful action begins with local participation. When asked how to make people care, Arisa reflected on inviting friends to conservation activities and teaching climate literacy to over 1,500 landlocked students—many of whom became inspired to start their own environmental projects. She reminded global leaders that age is not an excuse: whether youth or adult, every person holds responsibility for contributing to the world we want to inherit.

Alongside Arin brought attention to how climate education determines the level of action a society can take. He emphasized that limited access to climate knowledge—especially when data is presented in inaccessible, technical formats—creates a gap between awareness and action. This, he argued, is why structured climate education and capacity building are indispensable. Arin highlighted how youth are not merely “the future,” but active participants in the present, needing systems and initiatives that will outlast any single generation. Reflecting on experiences at COP30, he underscored that sympathy, understanding, and learning from communities who have lived with climate impacts for generations must shape how policies are designed. Whether it is Indigenous knowledge from Argentina or the lived realities of communities facing drought and agricultural disruption, these stories remind the world that local wisdom is crucial to global resilience.

Across the panel, intergenerational collaboration emerged as a core theme. Speakers challenged the assumption that youth must simply wait their turn for influence—while also reflecting on what it means when today’s advocates eventually age out of formal “youth” categories. The consensus was clear: climate responsibility does not diminish with age. Every generation must act boldly, share knowledge openly, and maintain momentum so that climate solutions can scale beyond individual lifetimes. Panelists also called for global solidarity, stressing that one country’s progress will not safeguard the world unless we work collectively with empathy, cooperation, and shared purpose.

As the session drew to a close, each panelist was asked to summarize their COP30 experience in a single word. Their answers—hope, support, sympathy, action, local, collaboration, resilience, and education—captured the spirit of a generation refusing to be sidelined. Through their stories, the session illustrated a powerful truth: youth are not only reacting to the climate crisis—they are redefining what global leadership looks like.

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Koh Phi Phi

Paradise lost

In recent years, there has been a remarkable resurgence of sea life around the Phi Phi Islands, situated in Thailand. Notably, the return of sea creatures such as reef sharks and ghost crabs to the area has been a cause for celebration among marine enthusiasts and conservationists. This resurgence can be attributed in part to the dedicated efforts of marine officials who planted an impressive 23,000 corals in the region in 2021.

The Phi Phi Islands have long been a popular destination for tourists, and their fame received an extra boost from the 2000 movie 'The Beach,' starring Leonardo DiCaprio. This film showcased the islands' stunning natural beauty and unique landscapes, capturing the imagination of travelers from around the world. As a result, it ignited a spark of interest in the Phi Phi Islands, making them a must-visit destination for those seeking a picturesque and adventure-filled escape.

To a certain extent, the thriving tourism industry in the Phi Phi Islands has encountered sustainability challenges stemming from the very visitors it attracts. The sheer volume of tourists frequenting the islands has led to a concerning environmental impact. On a daily basis, these visitors generate a staggering 25 to 40 tonnes of waste, which is often inadequately managed and ends up polluting the pristine landscapes of the islands.

The pollution problem extends beyond just waste disposal. The coral reefs, which are critical to the ecological health of the region and are being actively restored through coral planting initiatives, face damage from various sources. The propellers of boat motors, often driven too close to the fragile coral ecosystems, can cause physical harm. Similarly, tourists themselves, while swimming or snorkeling, can inadvertently harm the corals through physical contact or by standing on them.

Furthermore, a concerning practice seen in some cases is the burning of trash or the disposal of garbage directly into the water. Such actions not only mar the natural beauty of the Phi Phi Islands but also threaten the marine life that inhabits the surrounding waters.

Addressing these sustainability challenges is a crucial task for both local authorities and the tourism industry. Sustainable tourism practices, responsible waste management, and heightened environmental awareness among tourists are essential steps toward preserving the delicate ecosystems of the Phi Phi Islands and ensuring they remain a breathtaking destination for generations to come.

Koh Phi Phi

Climate Change

UUn

From Polar Ice Melting to Human Impact

Climate change is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon characterized by a long-term shift in the Earth's average temperature and climate patterns. It is primarily driven by a variety of factors, including natural processes and human activities.

One significant aspect of climate change is the decrease in sea ice in polar regions. The Earth's polar ice caps and glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate, primarily due to the increase in global temperatures. This melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, which can result in coastal erosion, increased flooding, and the displacement of communities living in vulnerable coastal areas.

Human activities play a major role in exacerbating climate change. The expansion of factories and industrialization has led to the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a greenhouse effect that raises global temperatures. The burning of fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and manufacturing processes is a significant source of these emissions.

Dense populations in urban areas also contribute to climate change. Concentrated populations require more resources and energy to support their daily needs, leading to higher emissions of greenhouse gases. This includes the energy required for heating, cooling, transportation, and the production of goods and services for a large number of people.

Wasteful energy practices further exacerbate climate change. Inefficient use of energy resources not only increases greenhouse gas emissions but also puts additional strain on natural resources. Energy conservation and the transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources are crucial steps in mitigating the effects of climate change.

In summary, climate change is a long-term shift in the Earth's average temperature and climate patterns, driven by various factors, including human activities such as industrialization, the burning of fossil fuels, and inefficient energy use.

Understanding and addressing these factors are critical for mitigating the impacts of climate change and working towards a more sustainable and resilient future.