Youth drive climate action & mental health with responsible digital use: Dr Chiranjeev Bhattacharjya of UNDP

Rural youth can drive climate action and mental health advocacy, using responsible digital engagement and proper capacity building to counter misinformation.

Posted on 15/01/2026

Rural youth plays a pivotal role at the intersection of climate action and mental health advocacy, particularly in a digitally connected India. Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be aware of rapid spread of misinformation, fear, and stigma. Capacity building is essential for equipping youth with accurate, verified, and positive information, while guiding them towards credible platforms for dissemination, said Dr Chiranjeev Bhattacharjya, Programme Analyst UNDP.

The expert was responding to a question by the Yuva Sustainability Intern on how rural youth can become agents of climate action and mental health advocacy, during 4th Yuva Sustainability Webinar on Mental Health in Climate Crisis: A Call to Speak Up.

Sabyasachi Senapati, a 2nd year Chemisty student at SCS Autonomous College, Puri is a Yuva Sustainability Intern.

  • I am sabysachi currently pursuing MSC in Chemistry from SCS Autonomous College, puri (Odisha). I am very dedicated towards social services. I have planted more than 1500 tree to create a jungle, as a NSS volunteer i help people in blood donation camp mobilizing people to avoid drug abuse, campaign, first aid rescue during Ratha Yatra.