This morning students from nine different countries participating in the YRE program meet in Cascais, Portugal. The students had the opportunity to interview the founder of the YRE program, in hopes to find solutions for environmental problems.
As students recognized the main issue of constant consumer demand which is greater than available resources. Specifically, the students identified that resources are scarce such as, minerals for smart phones and oil and gas for production and transportation yet, consumer continue their habits. These patterns were frustrating to students prompting them to ask how to change the ideology of the consuming population. Philippe Saugier replied that the problem lies with lack of education, regardless that the public is knowledgeable of the environmental issues. The public does not present concern because they do not see a correlation between their actions and the environment, as result they continue to be careless.
As YRE students were curious to know where the founders inspiration and concern for the environment originated. Philippe identified his main concern for the environment was global warming, due to the steady increase of carbon dioxide emissions and the thinning of the ozone layer. His fascination took him on expedition to the Norwegian Arctic to follow scientist that were beginning to study the effects of climate change on the arctic landscape and the ecosystem. This expedition prompted him to create the YRE program at an international level in order to unite Europe in a common goal of saving the environment.
During the growth of Philippe´s YRE program he partnered FEE in order to gain funding for the creation of the YRE program. He specifically mentions the use of the blue flag in order to acknowledge young student contributions to the environment and verifying that students have the ability to inspire change.
In conclusion, the students received information on a variety of environmental topics and identified many pressing issues. However, a clear solution to solve these issues and inspire public change was still unclear. The students decided that there is not one clear solution to the problems we face. However, by working together and sharing ideas they can develop strategies that can be applied in their home countries. The YRE experience has given them the opportunity to collaborate in order to develop plans to begin solving the environmental issues.
Group 5: Nadica, Orlando, Aziz, Isabella,Vlad , Krista,Patricia,Cansin and Yonca
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