Blog by Fanny Royanez, Marine Policy and Engagement Officer at Scottish Environment LINK.
Today, on the 15th of July, we celebrate the 10th World Youth Skills Day, a day dedicated to empowering young people by equipping them with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship as well as for addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development.
The climate and nature crisis deeply affects young people globally. Studies1 reveal that most youth feel distressed by climate change, believing their futures hinge on environmental fragility and policy decisions. With 1.8 billion individuals aged 10 to 24, this is the largest youth generation in history, making them key actors in addressing the climate and nature crises that will significantly impact their lives.
Empowering young people to face a fast-changing environment
Marine ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented changes such as warming and acidification due to anthropogenic pressures. These changes are happening so fast that many species may struggle to adapt, facing high risks of extinction.
In Scotland, similar trends can be observed. Despite being renowned for their rich biodiversity, our seas are in sharp decline. Most of the seabed is in poor condition, with vital habitats such as seagrass and flame shell beds now covering only a fraction of their former areas. Seabird populations are also in steep decline, with the abundance of 11 key species dropping by an average of 49% since 1986.
In a world where the health of our oceans is more critical than ever, upskilling young people in marine science, policy and sustainable industries is not just beneficial—it’s essential. By upskilling the next generation of marine leaders, we can ensure they are equipped to tackle these challenges head-on, fostering a sustainable and thriving marine environment for years to come.
LINK asked young people to share their experiences:
“As a young person willing to begin a marine career, I fear to never be or feel qualified enough for a career in the marine sector, because there is SO much at stake, and because “saving the ocean” will depend on us, young people starting a career in marine sciences. This is what terrifies me also, to be in charge of saving our blue planet, and to not meet this target. However, despite this fear, I have hopes, the main one being that we will achieve this, altogether, with the help of policy-makers (one day when they will finally listen to us scientists and young people), and everyone else. I also hope that one day I will feel empowered and purposeful in the marine sector, because although passion is what is driving me now to continue, I don’t yet feel that I have a voice loud enough to make a change.”
- Agathe Moreau, Graduate of the University of Aberdeen and MSc Candidate at Université Côte d’Azur
Sea Scotland story – Breaking down barriers to young people’s engagement in policy discussions
Engaging and including youth voices in today’s discussions and decision-making processes is crucial, as it not only empowers them to face tomorrow’s challenges but also ensures that their unique perspectives and ideas are considered today in the actions and decisions that may shape their future. However, young people often encounter significant barriers, and can be frequently overlooked in decision-making spheres. Barriers can be socio-economic constraints. Young people also expressed a lack of confidence and a feeling of not belonging to forums that are traditionally dominated by scientists, conservation professionals and industry representatives.
“I grew up in a landlocked, rural town in East Ayrshire. My connection to the sea only arose from trips to the beach with my parents and the ocean became my everything. I began volunteering for marine conservation organisations while studying my marine biology degree, trying to make change, but had to do a lot of self-teaching to understand marine policy and what’s in play in Scotland. I wanted to engage, but I didn’t really know how, and at the same time wrestled with imposter syndrome – did I even belong in the rooms where these discussions were happening?”
- Caitlin Turner, Sea Scotland young task force member
“These barriers have long kept me from raising my voice and taking part in conferences or events that (to me at least) require “more knowledge” or “more skills” in marine sciences and policy than I have. However, I recently took part in a marine policy capacity-building programme for young people called Turning the Tide (delivered by Young Sea Changers Scotland), which helped me shift perspective on this, and equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to say that I, too, belong in such conferences and events, and I can raise my voice to make a change!”
- Agathe Moreau
Creating inclusive platforms that address these issues and facilitate meaningful youth participation is essential. The Sea Scotland Conference is an annual series created in 2016, aiming to gather the marine community and create a space of discussion on marine policy issues. The team has been acting over the years to make the conference inclusive to young people and create an environment where they feel welcomed and empowered to actively engage in shaping the future of marine policy.
In 2022, Sea Scotland established a youth-led taskforce, and held the inaugural youth Sea Scotland Voices event in 2023. This year we ran the second edition of “Making Waves: Sea Scotland Youth Voices”. The two events, online on 17th April and in person on 3rd June, covered everything from understanding policy jargon, reflecting on the Sea Scotland 2024 theme “Sharing our Blue Space”, and helping young people to develop a personal strategy on how to get the most out of their conference experience. The young events report will soon be available on Sea Scotland website.
“I am a student at Heriot-Watt University studying marine biology. I hope to gain comprehensive knowledge and broaden my skillset in the diverse field of marine biology. However, with hope comes fear—the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone and facing rejection. This is why events like the Making Waves: Sea Scotland Youth Voices conference helped me begin networking and take the first step in embarking on my professional journey.”
- Pratik Digavadekar
Conclusion
Addressing the ocean emergency is fundamentally a people problem, requiring human transformative actions to ensure our marine ecosystems are restored and resilient to climate change. The health of our ocean hinges on the actions and decisions we make today, and equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge to tackle these challenges is essential.
As we reflect on the significance of World Youth Skills Day, let’s consider the vital role each of us can play in empowering young people to become the marine scientists and policy experts of tomorrow. By supporting educational initiatives, participating in community conservation projects, and advocating for inclusive platforms like Sea Scotland, we can help break down barriers and foster a generation of informed, confident, and engaged marine stewards:
“I believe that the thing most needed to help us young marine scientists feel empowered, is not only a larger skill set in all areas that relate to the sea, but most importantly, it is to tell us that we belong in this sector, in conferences and events, and that we are more knowledgeable and capable already than we think. I think that encouraging us, rather than saying “you are not qualified enough” when we apply for a job position, an event, a conference etc will help more than anything else, to make us feel still worthy and capable, even after a rejection for a job that we truly wanted to do because we want to save the ocean.”
- Agathe Moreau
Together, we can create a future where our oceans are thriving, and our young people are equipped to sustain this precious resource. Join us in this mission—whether by mentoring a young scientist, contributing to marine conservation efforts, or simply spreading awareness. Every action counts in making waves for a better, more resilient marine world.
1 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(22)00172-3/fulltext, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278223000032 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494422001499?via%3Dihub