HELSINKI, Nov. 12, (Xinhua) -- Finland's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Krista Mikkonen said Tuesday on the Rovaniemi Arctic Spirit Conference 2019 that she believes the active interest of young people in the climate crisis has "a massive impact on politicians".
Mikkonen took part in a panel discussion at the start of the conference in Rovaniemi, Finland. She said that political parties have started, in earnest, to offer climate solutions, partially due to the pressure from young people.
Mikkonen underlined the importance of repelling the climate change in a way that is fair to everyone. "We must get the message through that life can be good, or even better, after we have reached the climate targets," she said.
The Arctic Spirit Conference 2019 is devoted to the theme "Young People and the Climate Change". The event is part of the program of the Finnish EU Council presidency. It is co-arranged by the City of Rovaniemi and the Arctic Center of the University of Lapland.
Reviewing academic studies into the youth behavior, professor Maria Ojala from the Orebro University in Sweden, said that the attitudes of young people towards the climate change vary a lot. "Some deny it, some become totally passive. The best would be a concern that urges to action," she said.
However, Ojala said that the most destructive personal approach is to be hopeless.
Anni-Sofia Niittyvuopio, an ethnic Sami youth who took part in the panel said she is pleased with the increased outreach of the climate issues.
"Earlier mainly the academically trained took part, but now people such as reindeer keepers and ordinary workers show up," local newspaper Lapin Kansa reported.
The conference continues on Wednesday.
