Emil Vincentz started his climate activism as a 12 year old. Today he is in his 20s and a member of Regeneration 2030, a movement led by teenagers and young adults in the Nordic and Baltic Sea Regions focused on making the United Nation’s sustainable development goals a reality. He is also the founder of Symplistic, a company helping private and public organizations implement concrete solutions on environmental sustainability.

At the Nordic COP25 in Stockholm, ReGeneration 2030 will be presenting their views on the future of the food system. Join us as Emil and I discuss what actions ReGeneration 2030 is calling for from policy makers, what it’s like to be a young person advocating for the future today, and ways to champion the next generation.

• 6:00 An inside look into youth climate activism
• 18:30 Key issues talked about in Emil’s circle (it might surprise you)
• 20:50 Actions for policymakers and vision for the future
• 32:30 How you should engage youth in your community
• 38:25 The role of parents and what it means to be a good ancestor

This episode is part of Taste the Transition, a series of lunch conversations during the COP25 climate negotiations highlighting individuals taking climate action through food. Tell us your vision for the food system on www.nordicfoodtech.io/answer or by using the hashtag #NordicClimateAction

3:15 At what age and how did you become involved in sustainability issues?

When I think of activism, I think of people on the streets. For me it’s been a lot more about reading and maturing and realizing that the solution you are building today can very easily be the problem of tomorrow.

6:00 What is means to be a youth climate activist?

7:45 What is Regeneration 2030?

It’s a balance between feeling an urge to do something concrete and thinking about the long-term.

12:50 How are you taking climate action through food? Have you made any changes in your day to day?

14:36 What do you see happening amongst your peers? What kind of conversations or changes do you see your larger social circle making?

A big focus on being a responsible consumer, but it is also feels like a minefield to know what making the right choice is.

16:30 What is the dilemma around making the right choice?

There are so many parameter to measure a choice against.

18:30 What are the main issues that are important to you?

19:00 How does social justice factor in?

We need to remember the complexity, but not let it paralyze us.

20:50 What is your wish list for change from policymakers?

Subsidize healthy and sustainable food and raise taxes on food production that has a high environmental impact.

23:15 What is your vision for the food system in 10-15 years?

My vision is a food system that enables people to receive fresh produce and that is created from regenerative sources. We also focus on vitality, ethical and moral conduct in the food system.

28:00 What are we missing to achieve that vision?

We need to detach ourselves from the phrase “This is how we’ve always done it” and increase education around what a healthy food system is including its sources and origins. We also need lower prices on fruit, vegetables, and nuts.

31:10 How pricing of food products affects climate change

It’s a really interesting conversation to discuss who has the responsibility to enact change in the system.

32:30 What is the best way to engage the youth and make sure their voice is heard?

Take them seriously!

36:00 How are we not taking them seriously or need to be taking them more seriously?

It’s hard to know how much our voices are getting through to the decision makers.

37:30 How do we define the youth movement? Who falls into that category?

38:25 What is the role of parents in giving voice to the next generation?

Often kids are educating their parents.

42:40 What is the best way for someone to get in touch and are there any collaborations you are looking for?

I would love to talk to anyone working on similar issues or others working on SDG17.