Document Type

Article

Disciplines

International Law

Abstract

Global energy demand is likely to increase by forty-five percent by 2030.2 Sustainable development requires that current economic activity not jeopardize the needs of future generations.3 Climate change will threaten existing employment and necessitate new green jobs.' United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon notes that youth should take an active role in local, national and global decisionmaking.' Youth innovation can play a powerful role in achieving sustainable development. Defined by the United Nations ("U.N.") as persons aged fifteen to twenty-four years, youth account for nearly eighteen percent of the world population.' U.N. conventions on the legal protection of children generally protect persons under the age of eighteen.7 While young people have widely varying capacities and interests, they share fundamental rights.

The Wall Street Journal notes that "today's top graduates are flocking to a new energy boom: that of the start-ups producing wind power, biofuels, solar power and geothermal energy."' Funding has gone towards such renewable energy technologies as wind and solar; such fuel economy options as second-generation hybrids, plug-in electrics, and fuel cell vehicles; increased appliance efficiency; and such water-efficient farming methods as drip irrigation.' "Enough wind power blows through the Midwest corridor every day to ...meet 100 percent of US electricity demand,"'" according to Al Gore, who calls upon the U.S. to achieve 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy within ten years." "To those who say 10 years is not enough time, I respectfully ask them to consider seriously what the world's scientists are telling us about the risks we face if we don't act in less than 10 years,"' 2 Gore urges. Dr. Hansen notes that "[i]f humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted, paleoclimate evidence and ongoing climate change suggest that CO2 will need to be reduced from its current 385 ppm to at most 350 ppm, but likely less then that."" Companies are beginning to ramp up technologies to fullscale production and provide infrastructure that enables consumers to use new energy options. Greater investment is needed to finance such infrastructure. Governments are passing legislation that will facilitate carbon trading and offer tax benefits to purchasers of renewable energy and efficiency measures.

This article analyzes how to achieve sustainable human settlements via inclusive and participatory governance. Part II considers the role that governments can play in facilitating green job creation. Part III discusses the importance of energy efficiency in achieving sustainable development. Part IV addresses the challenges of achieving intergenerational good governance. Part V considers how youth involvement can enhance both procedural processes and substantive outcomes. Part VI concludes that engaging youth in emerging green sectors can promote international peace and security.

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