[LUM#5] Act now
A student and activist, David Resillas carries within him the flame of commitment. He wants to give a voice to a young generation that rejects pessimism and resignation.
For David Resillas, there came a day when he realized the absolute urgency of global warming. "We must act. The effects of global warming are already here, and they will only get worse." David is an optimist: it's a question of temperament. It'salso a question of generation, he says: "Some young people have a culture of overconsumption. But they are a minority. Many are committed to giving meaning to their lives."
Giving young people a voice
That's true of him. This tireless activist is driven by one idea: yes, we can change the world. As a delegate for Youngo, an organization that brings together youth organizations from around the world, he helped prepare for COP 22, the latest climate conference.
The solution to the climate crisis? A paradigm shift: "Sustainable development is the main tool for overcoming the climate crisis. This is a culture that my generation is very aware of." A generation that will be hit hardest by climate change. And one that could influence the debate: young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represent about 18% of the current world population. The largest cohort of young people in history...
Young people who feel they have no say. "People my age are rarely listened to, even though they have new ideas to contribute. Today's decision-makers are undoubtedly highly qualified, but their approach may be much the same as it was 50 years ago..."
Live better
President and co-founderof EDDA (Students for Sustainable Development), David lives out his passion every day in this student association at the University of Montpellier. The association is brimming with projects (see box), offering spaces for discussion and sharing, as well as practical workshops. "Clothing, food, heating, better use of energy and transportation, making homemade cheese, creating compost... recipes for fulfillment and living sustainably every day."
On the butterfly trail
In March, the EDDA association will help you create balcony boxes and planters. The idea is to provide urban gardens for butterflies, serving as "resting areas" and breeding grounds. The association has already created a butterfly pond in Montpellier: an artificial water basin with suitable plants. Its current project is to extend these installations to other cities located on the migratory butterfly routes.
A project that aims to preserve these precious pollinators, now threatened by urban development and human activity. But also to contribute to the fight against climate change: because these indispensable allies of biodiversity, just like bees, are indicators of the health of our environment.
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