Climate change is not only altering our ecosystems but triggering cascading effects, from biodiversity loss to forests’ weakened carbon absorption. This event allowed participants to gain knowledge on the impacts of climate change in Japan and Switzerland, discuss this complex problem from human and non-human perspectives, and identify actions that they can take today.

From Japan, Hironobu Ueda presented the activities of Happy Earth Day Osaka, and Kensaku Nakaji introduced Youth Climate Case Japan. Both youth-led initiatives empower local youth to pursue actions for the planet. They emphasized the role youth can play in shaping climate decisions and sustainable futures. From Switzerland, Leonhard Kick introduced the Changemaker Education Campaign, a flagship initiative by Swiss Youth for Climate. Designed to equip young people with practical skills rather than just theoretical knowledge, the program focuses on collaboration, critical thinking, and project implementation. Its premise is clear: agency is built through action. All three presentations invited the participants to imagine and become stewards of the future of our planet.

Participants formed into five groups, each representing a distinct voice, from alpine ecosystems to agricultural livelihoods and future generations. By stepping into these perspectives, participants experimented with ways of bringing different voices into the conversation, drawing attention to interests that are often overlooked in decision-making. Economic and cultural considerations highlighted concerns for food prices, employment, and regional identity. Other participants posed existential questions about resource scarcity, migration, and uncertain hopes for future generations.

Across all groups, several common threads emerged. First, Switzerland, despite its resources, is far from immune to climate disruption. Second, effective responses will require systemic thinking, bridging legal frameworks, economic transitions, and education. And third, youth are not just stakeholders but essential drivers of change, through education, collective action, and the ability to translate awareness into initiatives.

The workshop also highlighted the value of international exchange. Involving youth from Japan, Switzerland, and other countries revealed shared challenges and potential for collaborative solutions, across different cultural contexts. The discussions did not lead to one clear roadmap, but they highlighted shared priorities: toward a more participatory, skills-driven, and globally connected approach to climate action.