DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG people have been encouraged to make the most of available resources and knowledge to actively contribute to the fight against climate change.
The call was made by Prisha Chheda, a Tanzanian student from Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, who recently had the prestigious opportunity to join an environment expedition to Antarctica.
She was one of five African students selected for the trip, joining three students from South Africa and one from Ghana.
She emphasised the crucial role young people must play in addressing climate change, stressing that the youth have unique access to advanced technology and information, which empowers them to make a real difference.
“Young people play a vital role in combating climate change. We have access to resources and knowledge that previous generations didn’t, which presents us with a unique opportunity to create meaningful change,” she said.
She added: “We are the future, and starting now allows us to gain experience and create a greater impact as we grow.”
Reflecting on her time in Antarctica, she explained how the experience deeply influenced her views on climate change and the importance of environment conservation, particularly in relation to the impact of human activities on the environment.
“Seeing such a fragile ecosystem and witnessing firsthand how our actions affect the planet really opened my eyes to the urgency of the issue. It strengthened my resolve to protect the Earth and deepened my commitment to environment projects,” she shared.
During the expedition, she had the opportunity to learn about climate change’s effects on fish populations and how this, in turn, impacts the world’s oceans. She also gained insight into the effects of melting Antarctic ice on the global climate.
Moreover, she conducted experiments on ocean water densities and examined the composition of water, further enhancing her understanding of climate impacts. She is now dedicated to sharing the knowledge and awareness she gained from the expedition. She plans to use school assemblies and community talks to inspire fellow Tanzanian students to engage in similar programmes in the future.
ALSO READ: Tanzanian student joins environmental expedition in Antarctica
“Programmes like the Antarctic expedition provide invaluable opportunities to witness the effects of climate change firsthand. This kind of experience can motivate students to advocate for environment conservation,” she said.
She added: “It’s about giving students the chance to experience fragile ecosystems, which sparks action and advocacy for environment issues. These programmes give students, and through them, the wider community, a clear understanding of the urgency of the situation.” On his part, the organiser of the expedition, Mr Riaan Manser said the transformative impact of the trip on students’ perspectives on climate change.
He noted that the experience empowered students to engage confidently in discussions with influential figures in the environment field.
“This trip takes them to a unique destination and gives them the confidence to engage in climate change discussions. These students are no longer just 17-yearold with opinions they’ve spent time with key environment leaders,” he explained.
Mr Manser also highlighted the programme’s long-term goals, which include expanding its reach beyond Africa to a global scale.
“We started with South African students, but after five years, we’ve expanded to the entire African continent, allowing any Grade 11 student from Africa to apply. In three years, we aim to select one student from each continent to visit Antarctica,” he explained.
