One influential example that exemplifies values and lifestyle needed for sustainability is the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index practiced in the policy framework in Bhutan. It directs sustainable development and can be incorporated by the global community to address the problem of climate change and natural disasters while at the same pursuing socio-economic development. There is a pressing need for spreading awareness about climate change and the detrimental effects it has on the livelihood of people. Youth have the potential to absorb this message and implement it in their actions. The problem behind climate change exists both in the realm of science and ideology wherein waste generation can be tackled by increasing productivity from limited material and free market ideology has culminated in unhindered emission of greenhouse gases. The idea of circular economy addresses the issue of wastage that is directly associated with climate change. There is a contradiction in the amount of waste generation across the world, where high-income countries that consist of only 16% of the world's population generate a third of the world's waste. On the brighter side, young people are already making changes in their lifestyles. They have been placed as the fundamentally aggrieved group in the fight against climate change and have the power in driving change through individual action and advocating for proactive action from businesses, industries and governments.
• Multi-stakeholder participation in the formulation of legislations pertaining to climate change is important. Multi-stakeholder partners can include experts, academics, technicians, civil society and many others.
• Lifestyle changes have the potential to address inequality that stands to further worsen due to climate change. To make these changes, political support will be required as politics has always played a major role in inculcating behavioral changes at the level of masses.
Proceedings from WSDF 2020: https://worldsdf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WSDF-2020-Report.pdf
WSDF 2020: https://worldsdf.org/events/durango-mexico-march-2020/