Changing the Climate with Young People: An Interview with Laura Young
I’d heard about Laura’s work with Tearfund on climate change before and so was delighted I had the opportunity to meet her at Deep Impact earlier in the year. She is a really effective, enthusiastic communicator about climate change and issues surrounding global poverty. When I met Laura she was such an energetic, radiant person I’d be forgiven for thinking she could solve the world’s climate problems on her own, but knowing that this is something that requires all of us to play our part I was keen for her to share with me what resources and ideas she has for us all, but particularly for teachers and youth workers to use with young people from a Christian perspective, so that I could pass this really useful information onto CVE Scotland’s readers. Laura kindly agreed to be interviewed; thank you Laura!
Please tell us a bit about yourself and your role with Tearfund.
My name is Laura Young. I am 23, and live and work in Glasgow in the Tearfund Scotland team. I work in two roles part time. The first role is in the youth and emerging generation team as the youth and young adults manager in Scotland, then my second role is a new job which is the COP26 advocacy and events coordinator for Scotland (COP26 being the UN climate change conference which happens every year and is being held in Glasgow in 2021). Alongside working for Tearfund I run the environmental platform on Instagram called Less Waste Laura. This is a space for education, activists, sharing tips and tricks, and most of all building a community of like-minded eco warriors!
That is plenty to keep you busy! Why are you so passionate about communicating issues of climate change and poverty?
I am passionate about communicating justice throughout our world, and particularly in our churches and with young people because the entire Bible is a story of seeking justice. I feel convicted as a Christian to live out my life in a sacrificial way for justice, and particularly for those across the world living in poverty. I am extra passionate about the issues of climate change and poverty, because climate change is affecting those around the world the worst, who contribute to it the least. The scales are tipped in the favour of those who are least at risk, and I have a passion for seeking out ways which we, as individuals, churches, and nations can step up and take action and responsibility.
What are some helpful pieces of advice you’ve learnt to engage young people in climate change thinking?
One of the things I love about young people and climate change, is that many are already engaged and on fire for this issue. The younger generation are truly the ones stepping up and making waves of change! It is amazing to see a generation taking control and holding the rest of us accountable for what we have done. In terms of advice for engaging other young people, it is always so important to make them feel empowered that they can make a change, and that they are making a difference. For me, I became engaged when I realised how much power I had by changing my own personal lifestyle choices, but also when it was made clear to me the link between creation care and discipleship.
That’s great, thank you. What resources can you recommend to be used in schools (or useful for online learning!) to help empower and engage young people?
In terms of resources, there are so many to engage kids about these issues, and sometimes it can seem overwhelming. I have actually created a ‘resource’ which pulls together all of the best resources I have found online all into one place. It has just been altered to fit with many people having kids at home learning, and things we can do in our homes to live more environmentally. It has everything from activities to reading, movies to gardening, and so much more. You can find it here – https://www.lesswastelaura.com/the-school-kit.html
We Are Tearfund also has many resources for youth groups and student groups around climate change and plastic pollution, plus so much more. We have a wealth of information and social media content including YouTube videos about this. You can find all of our social media under @WeAreTearfund and our resources here – https://weare.tearfund.org/groups/
Do these resources present an opportunity to consider the issues from a faith perspective?
The We Are Tearfund resources certainly provide a faith perspective! They show us how these topics link with us and faith in the 21st century, and give us practical advice for how to live out justice ourselves and encourage others to do the same!
Are there any unusual ideas you’ve come across to stimulate young people’s involvement?
I always find young people can make huge changes in their churches by rising to the challenge! If given the opportunity, young people can shape a church for the better, and the congregation listen to their voices when they are passionate about something. This time at home also offers a great opportunity to plan what they want the future of their churches, homes, and school look like in the future, putting in place plans to be more environmental and just!
Is there an inspirational Bible verse you’d like to share?
I am finding a lot of hope and peace in Matthew 6 v 25-34. This section in the Bible is so refreshing in these times. Focusing on not worrying and looking to God’s creation to see his work.
Finally, what do you dream that issues of global poverty and climate change will look like by the end of 2025, in terms of what young people’s learning and involvement in that will have been?
I hope that by 2025 the world has seen how detrimental our ‘business as usual’ has been. I hope for change in the long run. I hope for slowing down, and a change in our system, a change in the way we care for creation, and a change for listening to young people. I want young people to be lifted up in this time, for us to see clearly how they see clearly. Young people have been leading this movement thus far, and I hope we keep them at the front of it all. They have a no nonsense approach and call out change where it is needed. By 2025 I want to see a generation changed and lifted up, leading us out of an unjust world, and into a just one! I want to see the voices of the global south alongside our young people, showing the people who are at the front of climate change. I want the link between our environment and climate justice and poverty to be clear and understood. But above all, I want the church to rise up to the challenge of being disciples of Jesus Christ in caring for our God given planet.
“[Young people] have a no nonsense approach and call out change where it is needed. By 2025 I want to see a generation changed and lifted up, leading us out of an unjust world and into a just one!”
Thank you very much Laura, for inspiring us all with your passion for climate change. There certainly are plenty of ideas and resources there to challenge both ourselves and the young people we work with.
This interview was Victoria Myles (CVE Scotland, Senior Administrator) in conversation with Laura Young.
