Local youth organisations and environmental issues

Abstract

This study seeks to understand the extent to which young people are contributing to the ever growing environmental issues. One of the main aims of the study is to analyse how youth organisations motivate their young members to contribute to both local and global environmental matters. For a better understanding of how youth organizations motivate their young members to contribute, a qualitative research method was used to compile data from six participants. For the sake of providing in-depth understanding of the young peoples and youth leaders perception, semi structured interviews were carried out. Even though there were variations in replies, most of the participants shared mutual experiences. While taking into account that this dissertation does not represent all of the Maltese population, it gives an insight into the extent young people are positively contributing to the ever-growing environmental issues and how youth organisations motivate their young members to contribute to both local and global environmental matters. A thematic analysis was carried out from which five themes from the in-depth interviews emerged. The results show that young people show their concern when it comes to environmental issues and try to do their utmost to contribute in a positive way. Results also indicate that the environment is considered to be an important matter for young people and is placed on top of their priority list. The fact that youth are part of an organisation from a very young age helps them to have a better understanding of their responsibilities towards the environment.