Abstract:
Climate change is an undeniable threat to the global population. Different measures for adaptation and mitigation against climate change impacts are taken worldwide and to varying extents. While climate change mitigation is perhaps most high-profile at a governmental (policymaking) level, individual responsibility for change within their sphere of influence needs more consideration given the impact of collective action and cumulative effects. Further, young individuals’ (ages 16 – 24 years old) climate change perspectives and mitigation actions deserve more attention in aspects of intergenerational climate justice and the fact that governance choices made now will have repercussions for future lives and livelihoods. This thesis examines the approaches of youth in Auckland, New Zealand, towards mitigating climate change impacts at a personal/household level. This study engaged young participants (ages 16-24) to diarise their different consumption patterns over two weeks - behaviours like food consumption, energy use, transportation and water use - and calculate their carbon footprints as a heuristic, reflexive exercise. Through focus groups, the research reveals the strategies used by Auckland youth to reduce their GHG emissions and their priority of what actions need to be taken and by whom. Additionally, this thesis sheds light on the motivations and also the barriers youth face in their pursuit of climate action and considers how any barriers can be overcome by structural changes by the government and corporations. This thesis argues that climate change mitigation action holds great importance at an individual level (especially youth) to reduce negative climate change impacts in the future. It also provokes that youth should be supported by government and corporate action to assist them in climate-friendly lifestyles.