TANZANIAN youth have been urged to join forces and take a lead in environmental conservation initiatives in order to restore nature and address climate change.

A section of stakeholders made the appeal in Dar es Salaam recently at an event to commemorate the World Environment Day.

Silvana Casavilca, business development manager at Plan International- Tanzania said that the environment is facing worsening challenges due to climate change, pollution and other human factors, a situation which calls for more coordinated and innovative measures to address.

According to her, despite various efforts implemented by the government and stakeholders, there is still a huge need to continue implementing innovative projects to overcome the pressing climate challenges.

“We need vibrant initiatives in this area, investment in renewable energy and environment conservation is inevitable, the World needs these measures now more than ever before,” she said adding: “Plan International believes in young people in bringing positive change in the society.”

Casavilca said the event, which has been organised by Plan International in collaboration with Youth Survival Organisation (YSO) in collaboration, has attracted over 200 young individuals from various universities, aimed at mobilizing them and empowering them to lead the fight against climate change.

“This year’s theme, “Restoration for a Sustainable Future,” resonates deeply with our shared mission to heal our planet and ensure a thriving world for generations to come,” she added.

Caroline Lyimo, Advisor at the Tanzania Youth Organizations Coalition said: “Today, we gather not only to celebrate our natural world but also to reaffirm our commitment to protecting and restoring it.

She said the degradation of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and the escalating impacts of climate change are urgent issues that demand our immediate and sustained action.

She said young people in Tanzania, Africa and across the globe are already stepping up to this challenge with remarkable energy and innovation.

“Planting trees, cleaning rivers, advocating for sustainable practices, and utilizing technology to drive environmental change. These efforts are not just acts of service; they are declarations of our resolve to safeguard our planet,” she said.

She hailed young leaders like Sharon Ringo under Sharon Ringo foundation at a young age that began advocating for climate action and continues to lead campaigns for environmental education and nature restoration targeting to plant 10 million trees come year 2027.

“We must continue to advocate for stronger environmental protections and sustainable practices at local, national, and international levels. By working together, sharing our knowledge, and supporting each other’s initiatives, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone,” she added.

Lyimo further applauded President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership in ecosystem restoration and her role as the Global Champion for the Clean Cooking agenda.

“We should follow her example by actively participating in hands-on activities to innovate clean cooking energy solutions such as Mkaa Salama presented to us today, use of biogas and others,” she said.

Beatrix Jingyi, programmes and communications specialist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said climate change has continued to bring a lot of impacts globally and that joint efforts were needed to strengthen environmental degradation.

“Climate change is a global crisis that has no borders, and it is up to each one of us, especially our youth, to lead the way towards a more sustainable and resilient future,” she said.