The youth in Congo recognize that climate change is a global issue that requires collective action. By going green and advocating for change, they are setting an example for others to follow and inspiring hope for a better future.

We can say that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals brings us not only closer to addressing climate change, but also to participating in making the world more peaceful and socially responsible, which requires the participation of people from all countries, races and social strata, primarily youth as the only player well equipped enough to flow information to all levels of society, educate citizens on the issue of climate change, develop and expand solutions. Climate change has serious impacts on our societies and the environment in terms of impact on agriculture, endangering food security, sea level rise, damage to infrastructure, frequent natural disasters “flash floods, landslides, and the like”. The impact of climate change will be extended to everyone in this world, especially young people, because young people will live a large part of their lives on earth, whose conditions are increasingly changing due to climate change, and various dimensions of their lives, including their security, well-being and even mental health, will be negatively affected by climate change. Recent studies have shown how climate change and extreme weather events have negatively affected the physical and mental health conditions of young people, including children. In addition to affecting the socio-economic conditions in which young people live. 

For example, in developing regions such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is among the world's most vulnerable to climate change and is the fifth least prepared country in the world to address its effects.. In addition, UNICEF for the first time ranked countries based on the exposure and vulnerability of children to climatic and environmental shocks, where . Congolese children are the ninth most vulnerable in the world and expected climate changes in the Congo include the vulnerability of young people, who make up the largest population group and the largest workforce in the agricultural sector to increasing existential threats, as climate change has changed environmental conditions such as water availability. This may open the door to future conflicts in which youth will be the main focus around the use of scarce resources.

But in light of crises, the role of some is to put a smile on faces and inspire hope in frustrated souls to face the challenges facing the environment in which they live, In Congo, the youth are taking a stand against climate change and are going green. They understand the importance of protecting the environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Through various initiatives, such as   JECOLO initiative which is an association of young people whose main mission is the protection of the environment and the fight against global warming. It is considered a light in the midst of darkness as Its objectives are to Unite efforts and act together to protect planet earth For the good of future generations, people capable of protecting the environment, so that together with the local, national and international community fight against environmental degradation and global warming, the effects of which are at the root of the accentuation of the impoverishment and miseries of several developing countries and the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular.

Abangala Wilondja Awi Co-Founder of Jecolo for climate  said that "everyone knows that climate issues are important but few are taking action to address them or even better trying to be part of the solution. Regarding my concerns, I am very concerned about climate change and I am committed to being part of the solution."

and he added that The motivation that moved us to create that initiative is our health and our environment, we want to participate in the solution maker by doing what we can with what we have we are a local movement, to participate in this you can be an ambassador, promote our work and let the world around you know what is happening in our side, we never know who we can inspire. But we want to wake up the world so that everyone can join the fight for the climate and preserve the environment for future generations the challenge is mostly on materials, we try our best to do what we can. Day by day the impact becomes bigger and now the impact is great on a large scale, Day by day we have a new member and support from the community. This is actually a good step forward that everyone should join , they should do something for the planet. We start very down of the scale and wish to climb up on the top slow by slow, we have a lot of upcoming initiatives like making seedbed, manage waste composting, empowering other and getting all of us together for the same cause. 

JECOLO's main mission

Involve young people in promoting the culture of environmental protection. Inspired by the chaotic damage caused by environmental degradation, young ecologists are committed to raising awareness and training on the environment, so that the generation of today and tomorrow will have the culture of protecting the environment. Biodiversity (fauna and flora) threatened by waste which pollutes on the one hand and on the other by intense production activities which lead to deforestation and pollution, hence participating in waste recycling

Jecolo draws its strength from the community of young volunteers who make it up. This is a youth whose age varies between school age and active life. The sharing of challenges and solutions on the climate and the environment find a place today for the evolution of tomorrow in a healthy environment. From experience, they adopt measures for the prevention and protection of the environment. They are more than 250 people, girls and boys, men and women who regularly intervene to carry out the missions assigned to JECOLO for the protection of the environment, health and community development. 

JECOLO activities

First initiative is to collect plastics on the shore and make some eco friend stuff. Not only plastic but any nuisible thing, they collect plastic from Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest in the world, is currently home to a huge dumping ground for plastic waste

JECOLO provides training sessions for young people with the aim of their commitment to the protection of the environment, because according to them, '' we have only one earth where we live, from where the 'Importance for the children and young people who are responsible for tomorrow to already have this culture in mind '.

JECOLO proceeded to plant trees on the hill overlooking the city of Uvira, in the Mulongwe district at the place called Shishi.

It's time for us to understand, take care of and protect our environment against the harmful effects of our climate change. And working to increase awareness because it plays an important role in building the mind and awareness of the fuel of societies, namely the youth and the young. All in order to lead a healthy, green and resilient community to climate change and mitigate its effects, it is time for me and all of you to address climate change and for all of us to have a leading role in this through a large and comprehensive collective effort to promote environmental education and Climate Action for future generations.