Sustainable Youth

This chapter examines the attitudes of young people in relation to sustainability. Currently, there is evidence of much engagement of the youth in the sustainability cause, as there is of disengagement. First, the chapter discusses youth expression of dissent with unsustainable politics and power, which ranges from global – as in the case of climate activism Greta Thunberg’s Fridays for Future – to local reach, including examples of indigenous and rural youth movements. Second, the chapter provides an overview of cases of youth disengagement in relation to sustainability issues, examining possible triggers, while discussing how awareness can be expanded. Mainly, the chapter reflects on the extent to which current youth sustainability movements are aligned with future visions and expectations of young people, by discussing sustainability imaginaries. Finally, a parallel is made between movements, future visions and the approach of the Sustainable Development Goals to children and the youth.