[LUM#5] Act Now
A student and activist, David Resillas is driven by a passion for social justice. He wants to give a voice to a young generation that rejects both pessimism and resignation.
For David Resillas, there came a day when he realized the absolute urgency of the situation: global warming. “We have to act. The effects of global warming are already here, and they’re only going to get worse.” David is an optimist: it’s a matter of temperament. And of generation, too, he says:“Among some young people, there’s a culture of overconsumption. But that’s a minority. Many are getting involved, seeking to give meaning to their lives.”
Giving young people a voice
That’s certainly true of him. This tireless activist is driven by a single conviction: yes, we can change the world. As a delegate for Youngo, an umbrella organization for youth groups around the world, he helped organize “COP 22,” the most recent climate conference.
The solution to the climate crisis? A paradigm shift:“Sustainable development is the key tool for overcoming the climate crisis. A culture to which my generation is very attuned.” 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 make up about 18% of the current global population. The largest cohort of young people in history…
Young people who feel they don’t have a say.“People my age aren’t really listened to, even though they have fresh ideas to share. Today’s decision-makers are undoubtedly highly qualified, but their approach to decision-making may be much the same as it was 50 years ago…”
Live Better
As president and co-founderof EDDA (Students for Sustainable Community Development), David puts his passion into action every day through this student organization at the University of Montpellier. An organization brimming with projects (see box), it offers spaces for discussion and sharing, as well as hands-on workshops.“Clothing, food, heating, better energy use, transportation, making your own cheese, creating compost… recipes for personal fulfillment and living sustainably every day.”
On the Butterfly Trail
In March, the EDDA association is helping you create balcony planters and window boxes. 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 expand these installations to other cities located along the migration routes of butterflies.
A project aimed at preserving these precious pollinators, which are now threatened by urban development and human activity. It also aims to contribute to the fight against climate change: for these essential allies of biodiversity, just like bees, serve as indicators of the health of our environment.
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