Peace First’s Post

How can I choose my project topic? That was me as a 100 level student, young, curious, and eager, asking a senior in my department who was already in 400 level. His response? A laugh. “Read,” he said. “Don’t worry, the time for projects will come.” Funny, right? Even as a 100-level student, I had always been preparing for it in my mind. I wanted my project to be something impactful, something that mattered. I saw it as more than a graduation requirement it was an opportunity to contribute to the world meaningfully, to make a difference through research. By my final year, I was certain: I would focus on climate change. It was a topic that resonated deeply with me a contemporary global challenge that required urgent attention and innovative solutions My project was titled: “Enhancing Climate Adaptation in Makoko, Lagos Flood-Prone Community: Leveraging the Policy Resources of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).” At the time, I wasn’t just writing a paper, I was charting my path as a climate advocate and researcher. But it wasn’t always clear. When I first shared my topic with my supervisor, he asked a question that I’ll never forget: "Climate change? As an international relations student? A geographer can work on climate change. An environmentalist can work on it. But you, what can you bring to the table?” That question hit me, but it also ignited something within me. I knew then that climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a global challenge that transcends borders, impacts every nation, and requires a unified, global response. And that’s where international relations comes in. It wasn’t easy. I was stepping into a space dominated by scientists, geographers, and environmentalists. But I held on to the belief that through international policies and agreements, we could connect local realities to global solutions. That belief became the driving force behind my work. This series is my story. A story of discovery, purpose, and resilience. Over the coming weeks, I’ll share: ✅ How It All Began: My journey to choosing this topic and the lessons I learned along the way. ✅ From Mitigation to Adaptation: Why I chose to focus on vulnerable communities like Makoko. ✅ What’s Next: How this project continues to shape my advocacy and career. This isn’t just about research. It’s about the power of finding your voice, breaking boundaries, and making an impact. Join me on this journey, and let’s explore what it truly means to turn a passion into purpose. Stay tuned... #ClimateChange #ClimateAdaptation #Makoko #Sustainability #InternationalRelations #MyJourney

Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying Research Gap 1.Choose a Broad Research Area Why Start with a general area of interest to narrow down later How Identify a topic that aligns with your interests, career goals, or academic background. Example Broad area: Climate Change and Social Media 2. Conduct a Preliminary Literature Review Why To get an overview of what has been studied and what remains unexplored How Use databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed to search Use keywords like climate change communication, social media campaigns, or youth climate awareness Example Many studies examine climate change campaigns but focus on traditional media rather than social media 3. Identify Recurring Themes or Issues Why Patterns in research help highlight potential gaps How Look for phrases like future research should explore Example Research exists on general public awareness but lacks focus on how social media engages university students 4. Evaluate the Methodologies Why Gaps can emerge from reliance on specific methods How Check whether most studies rely on surveys, interviews, or other methods Example Most studies use content analysis but lack experimental designs to test campaign effectiveness. 5. Narrow Down to a Specific Context Why Contextual gaps help focus your study on underexplored demographics or regions How Analyze which populations or settings have been studied and which have been overlooked. Example  Few studies explore social media's impact on climate awareness among Pakistani students. 6. Explore Emerging Trends Why New technologies or social phenomena often reveal research gaps How Stay updated on trends related to your area using news articles, industry reports, and conference proceedings. Example Increased use of TikTok and Instagram for environmental activism in South Asia 7. Formulate a Specific Research Question Why A well-defined question ensures clarity and focus. How Use the identified gap to form a question addressing the what, why, and how. Example How effective are TikTok and Instagram campaigns in promoting climate awareness among university students in Pakistan? 8. Validate the Gap Why To ensure the gap is significant and contributes to your field. How Check if your question addresses a practical or theoretical need Example Experts confirm limited studies on TikTok and Instagram's climate advocacy in South Asia 9. Refine and Finalize Your Gap Why Refinement ensures your research is feasible and impactful How Test your question’s feasibility (time, resources, and scope) Example The gap is insufficient research on TikTok and Instagram's role in raising climate awareness among Pakistani students. 10. Document and Justify Your Gap Why You must clearly explain the gap in your thesis introduction or proposal. How Use evidence from the literature to support the existence of the gap Example Justify the gap as addressing the urgent need for innovative climate advocacy in vulnerable regions like Pakistan

🌍 Reflections on #COP29: A Transformative Experience 🌍 As COP29 concludes, I am filled with gratitude and inspiration, reflecting on the privilege of contributing to this global platform for climate action. Over the past few days, I had the honor of delivering three key presentations: 1️⃣ Press Conference for Youth Climate Report (YCR): Representing the incredible work of YCR and CIFAL York, I addressed how youth-driven narratives and innovative programs are shaping climate solutions. 2️⃣ Premiere of the animation "Jonathan" at the Canada Pavilion: This environmental animation, which I wrote and directed, shares the story of a bird rallying animals to join a symbolic climate protest. A metaphor for the COP process itself, the film underscores the importance of collective action in tackling the climate crisis. 3️⃣ Participation in "The Role of Higher Education in Addressing Climate Change" Panel Discussion: Engaging with thought leaders and changemakers to discuss the intersection of education, innovation, and community-driven climate strategies. None of this would have been possible without the guidance and support of Ali Asgary and Mark Terry, PhD Their mentorship and dedication to fostering impactful environmental education and advocacy continue to inspire me. To my fellow COP29 attendees: let’s carry the momentum forward. Together, we have the power to create lasting change. 🌱 #COP29 #ClimateAction #YouthClimateReport #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEducation

CLIMATE ACTION OPPORTUNITIES

Day 7 0f 7 Ocean - Climate Challenge 😁 As we conclude our week-long exploration of ocean-climate sustainability, it's time to look ahead and focus on the future. Today, let's discuss the importance of education and youth involvement in ocean-climate sustainability and explore opportunities for students and young professionals to make a difference. Empowering the next generation of ocean-climate advocates is crucial for sustaining the momentum of current efforts and driving future innovations. Education plays a fundamental role in this empowerment. By integrating ocean and climate science into school curricula, we can equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle environmental challenges. In addition to education, providing opportunities for young people to get involved in sustainability efforts is vital. Internships, scholarships, and volunteer programs offer practical experience and exposure to real-world environmental issues. Organizations like the UN, Plogga Nigeria, offer numerous programs designed to engage and train young leaders in environmental advocacy. Networking and mentorship are also key components of empowerment. Connecting with professionals in the field through conferences, workshops, and online platforms like LinkedIn can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Mentorship programs can provide guidance and support, helping young advocates navigate their career paths and make impactful contributions. Out of my passion for ocean-climate issues, I have actively sought out such opportunities, including writing articles, attending conferences, and also making measures to collaborate with professionals and attending practical workshops. These experiences have been invaluable in shaping my understanding and commitment to sustainability. Inspiring and empowering young people to pursue careers in sustainability is not only about individual growth but also about building a global movement for change. By supporting and investing in the next generation, we can ensure a sustainable future for our oceans and our planet. PS: Thank you for joining me on this 7-day content challenge! Let’s continue the conversation and keep advocating for a sustainable and healthy planet. PSS: What are your ideas for engaging and empowering young people in ocean-climate advocacy? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to take action! ------------------------------------------------ I'm Israel AKINLABI, an undergrad student at the Federal University of Technology Akure, studying Marine Science and Technology. My passion for sustainability, healthy planet, and energy ignited this Ocean-Climate Content Challenge. I'm eager to explore both national and international opportunities aligned with these goals. UNESCO Ocean Millennium Campus Network (MCN)

Happy to announce the start of Erasmus + project EcoExpress, coordinated by DEMETRIUS Association Romania, with the collaboration of its partners, Asociacija Kūrybinės Ateities Idėjos, Lithuania, Araxa Egitim Danismanlik Turkey, Emprende Empleo European Network Spain, Filoi Atomon Me Idikes Anagges – H Agapi Cyprus and Vizelaimaginactiva Portugal. The project seeks to enhance climate change awareness and understanding among young people aged 15–30 in European countries through innovative multimodal literacy techniques. The motivation for the project is rooted in the urgency of addressing climate change and the recognition of young people's potential as powerful agents of change in combating this global crisis. The unique approach of the project combines multimodal literacy, digital literacy and climate education to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take meaningful action against climate change. Ecoexpress aims to train 140 youth workers in delivering climate change education, to empower young people with digital skills, including data visualization, and content creation, to effectively communicate climate messages and engage at least 500 young people on social media platforms by the end of the project. It also plans to evaluate and assess changes in youth climate awareness, behavior, and engagement, by conducting a comprehensive impact assessment. The project also includes three climate change webinars per country, engaging local communities, policymakers, and experts to promote climate action, as well as active citizenship among young people by engaging them in climate actions at local, national, and EU levels. The final purpose of the project is to leverage digital skills and technology to amplify youth voices, advocate for climate action, and mobilize communities for sustainable practices The concrete results of the project are the Multimodal Literacy Training for Climate Change Education addresses to youth workers and trainers, the Climate Change Toolkit for Youth Activism targeting young people aged 15 – 30 and the Multimodal Learning App for Climate Change Education. Additional details regarding the undertaking of this project can be found on the project its Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/dhPu2C2p

🌱 Nurturing Climate Leaders: A Journey of Learning and Action Hello, LinkedIn community! I've been waiting for the right moment to share a life-changing experience—and today feels perfect. Last year, in August 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the COP 29 Climate Change Summer Camp in Baku, Azerbaijan, representing Teach For Bangladesh. The camp brought together educators from 35 countries with one shared mission: to integrate climate education into classrooms and empower students to become future environmental leaders. The experience was more than just a gathering of like-minded individuals—it was a call to action. After returning home, I was determined to bring those learnings to life in our classrooms. I started incorporating climate education into my lessons, encouraging my students to think critically about the environment and take actionable steps toward a more sustainable future. And now, I’m excited to share our journey with you all through a video we created together! This project with my students is a testament to how education can be a catalyst for change. Seeing their curiosity, engagement, and agency grow has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching journey. I can't express enough gratitude to Teach For Bangladesh for giving me this platform to connect with a global network of changemakers and learn from the best. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this journey—your encouragement made all the difference. I am incredibly grateful to the amazing facilitators and organizers who made the COP 29 Climate Change Summer Camp such a transformative experience. All of your efforts in creating a collaborative, inspiring space for educators from around the world have left a lasting impact on us. Thank you for equipping us with the tools and knowledge to drive climate action in our classrooms and beyond. I truly believe that education is the key to change, and I’m honored to have learned from some of the best in this field. 🌱 This isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning.We have a responsibility to nurture climate-conscious leaders who will carry this work forward. And as educators, we play a crucial role in that journey. Let’s keep working for our planet, our future, and our students. Together, we can make a difference! Rajasree Guha Mehdi Morshed Chowdhury Shadman Absar Choudhury Mowmita Khan Sabahun Jajiba Haque Esther Gacigi Pramod Kumar Sharma Simon Wanda Samah Elsayed Adeline Aroskay @amina maroini Lennart Kuntze Leyla Hasanova Foundation for Environmental Education Office for Climate Education International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Teach For All UNESCO UNFCCC UN UNDP

♻️ (Reshared) Applications are now open for the second cohort of the Global Youth Climate Training Programme, happening this year from Sep 3-Oct 1. We’ve been hard at work preparing this year’s course and are excited to have received an amazing grant from ClimateWorks Foundation to run the programme another two years! Last year, our programme was all about demystifying the UNFCCC and its many tracks of negotiation. Yet, on the margins (and increasingly moving to the heart) of COPs are the actions of non-state actors: corporates announcing pledges for fossil fuel phase out, cities making net zero promises, finance being promised by private entities. It is so important that young people are given the tools and the confidence to navigate this landscape and separate the greenwash from the legitimate in real-time. This year, our programme focuses on cohort and community building between participants. And finally - accepted participants will have the chance to apply for a bursary of up to £3000 to attend COP29. This is for participants who have accreditation (or the means to access a badge) but for whom money presents a barrier. We’re really excited to have 5 such bursaries available this year! (And if you are/know of a funder interested in providing us more funding to make more such bursaries available, I’d love to hear from you). What to expect: 💸 An entirely free and entirely remote/virtual programme to ensure accessibility 📝10 sessions of expert lectures on climate policy, including interactive sessions in the GYC Lab. 📅 Dates: 3rd September-1st October 2024, with pre-COP29 session on 1st November. 🌍 The programme will be delivered in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. ℹ️ Further details on the timeline and session content can be found in the 2024 brochure (both PDF and Word Versions for text-to-voice readers) on our webpage: https://lnkd.in/gfNCsBDQ. If you are a young changemaker aged 16-35 and want to improve your policy knowledge and advocacy skills ahead of COP29, we want to hear from you! Youth representing diverse regions and communities most impacted by climate change are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications are open until August 10th at 23:59 UTC. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dwWD6_f4. #Youth #Climate

UNFCCC Opens 2024 Entry-Level Applications for Global Students and Recent Graduates 🌐 https://lnkd.in/ebrMEG-H The UNFCCC is now accepting entry-level applications for 2024. Students and recent graduates worldwide are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to work on global climate action initiatives. #UNFCCC #Job #Opportunities #EntryLevel #ClimateAction

PLEASE APPLY OR SHARE! Fully-funded Climate Action Opportunities 2024 – 2025  (Open to all nationalities) Are you interested in Climate Change related matters? Here are several opportunities you can apply for to contributing to addressing the climate change challenge! Link: https://lnkd.in/e7pN4qXs 1. Waislitz Global Citizen Awards for Young Entrepreneurs and Activists. Apply here. 2. Call for Proposals by Intel: Empowering Africa. Apply here. 3. Call for Proposals: Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Environments (RISE) Grants Challenge 2024. Apply here. 4. CJRF Call for Grant Proposals: Building Connections for Climate Justice and Resilience. Apply here. 5. Call for Proposals: Environmental and Climate Justice. Apply here. 6. Atlantic Council’s Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellowship: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders. Apply here. 7. Apply to join IOM-United Nations Migration’s Diaspora Climate Champions: Make a Difference in Climate Action. Apply here. 8. Apply to attend the COYEC’s Youth Conference 2024 on Environment and Climate for Empowering Africa’s Youth. Apply here. 9. Join the Climate Change Media Partnership COP29 Reporting Fellowship [Fully Funded] Apply here. 10. Join the Climate Crossroads Congressional Fellowship: Bridging Science and Policy. Apply here. 11. Join the Early Career Climate Fellowships – Cohort 2: Empowering Kenya’s Climate Leaders. Apply here. 12. Accepting Applications for the 2024 Switzer Fellowships: Empowering Environmental Leaders ($17,000 Cash Award). Apply here. 13. NOAA’s Young Changemakers Fellowship: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders (Fully-funded). Apply here. Please be aware that deadlines may vary. While many opportunities listed here are open annually, if they are currently closed, kindly revisit later. For additional scholarships and other opportunities, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eHwNbnN. #climatechange #opportunities #share #youth #environment #training #fellowships #conference #mentoring #climateaction #scholarships