State of Youth Global Preferendum: Young people are ready to protect biodiversity
97% of young people would realistically consider taking action to protect biodiversity and nature. So, what’s holding them back?
What do you do when the natural world you depend on is under pressure? Young people around the world are answering that question. The new State of Youth Global Preferendum shows something powerful: they are not waiting for someone else to solve the biodiversity crisis. 97% would realistically consider taking action to protect biodiversity and nature.*
Our State of Youth Global Preferendum gives young people a platform to share what they think, feel, and want to change. Commissioned by KidsRights and coordinated by independent research agency Glocalities, this research explores how young people experience biodiversity loss, what action they would consider and what they need to turn their willingness into meaningful participation.
The research combines nationally representative panels of 2,189 young people aged 13 to 29 in Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Germany, Kenya and the US. Alongside it, an open survey brought in 10,527 self-selected young people from 77 countries, adding a wider international perspective.
The results speak for themselves. 93% can name a concrete reason why biodiversity matters to them. Nearly eight in ten believe they can make a real difference. And 35% would consider volunteering regularly, while 34% would consider organizing or leading a biodiversity activity or campaign.
"Protecting nature today is the best investment we can make for future generations and the health of our planet."
Sarita, Nepal
So, what gets in the way?
For 37%, a lack of funding or resources is a barrier. 30% feel that individual actions do not make a difference. And young people also want to be taken seriously: 23% say adults do not take them seriously, while 21% say they are asked for their opinion without actually being listened to. Young people are ready to contribute. They are asking for a real role, real resources, and a real say.
Biodiversity loss is already affecting young people’s livevs. 67% say it affects their own lives at least moderately, while 62% say they are more worried about biodiversity loss than they were two to three years ago.
Yet hope remains. Seven in ten believe the tide can be turned in their lifetime. Nearly eight in ten worry about what biodiversity loss means for future generations.
Young people are anxious, but they are far from powerless. They believe change is possible. Now, adults, governments and institutions need to meet that belief with action.
Young people point to practical solutions: countries working together, stronger laws and enforcement, education and awareness, and restoring damaged habitats. They also see change happening close to home through clean-ups, tree planting, restoration and community initiatives.
"In my school and community, we organize recycling drives and clean-ups of local parks. As a solution, I'd like more native plants and trees sown in the green spaces, to help bring back more birds, insects and pollinators."
Santiago, Colombia
Ahead of COP17, the UN Biodiversity Conference taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19th-30th October 2026, the message is clear. Young people do not need convincing to care about biodiversity. They are ready to help protect it. The findings come at a critical moment as governments prepare to assess global progress towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and accelerate action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
Read the full State of Youth Global Preferendum report to explore the findings in more detail and hear directly from young people around the world about the actions they want to see to protect biodiversity and nature.
*Note: All figures used in text, graphs, charts and other visualizations come from the seven nationally representative panels, unless stated otherwise.
**Note: Names used are fictional/anonymous, as the survey was conducted anonymously; however, all quotes presented are authentic and taken directly from respondents.
