How do we create a sustainable and attractive lifestyle?

That, in short, is one of the challenging questions, demanding an answer posed, by the Youth Voice Project at the Planet under Pressure conference held in March 2012 at the Excel Centre in London. The 12 students participating in the project came from across the UK and were brought together by the British Science Association, Living With Environmental Change, Research Councils UK, the Royal Society and Sciencewise-ERC.

It was not though just their own views that were being expressed at the conference; they were representing the views of many more young people across the country as the result of a survey they had carried out. One of the students, Jess Wynne, blogged

We were delighted to be able to bring our views to the conference delegates as it is us that will inherit the planet, and we are the scientists and policy makers of the future.

The conference presentation made a strong impression on conference delegates. The text can be seen at the Planet Under Pressure website.

together with the ten questions in full:

1. What laws can be implemented to protect and promote the diversity of our ecosystems?
2. Do the conference delegates feel that we will find a solution which balances the conservation of biodiversity with feeding our growing population in the next 10 years?
3. What should our priorities be in the fight to reduce pollution, and how can we encourage people to exercise individual accountability?
4. How can we find sustainable ways of sourcing and providing water?
5. Generally, should we be looking for quick fixes, or slower, more sustainable solutions to ensure that we protect our earth's environment?
6. How can news agencies be encouraged to report on environmental success stories?
7. How can developed nations assist developing nations in achieving environmental targets and creating sustainable infrastructure?
8. We would like to see a wider variety of possible energy and fuel alternatives explored & researched and a more public exchange of knowledge between the scientists and researchers and the industry - do you think this could happen?
9. What can be done to ensure that our helium resources, and others like it, aren't depleted as soon as they are forecast to be?
10. How can we enjoy the same attractive lifestyle that we have today, but make that lifestyle much more sustainable?

The video of the talks can be seen online.

Just below the video press on the media marker: Planet Under Pressure UK voice of Youth Project.

The photo with this story is courtesy of the British Science Association.