Richard Branson encourages young people not to despair about the future, stating that we can conquer climate change.

• Sir Richard Branson stated that fixing the world's problems requires focus and everyone's collective effort.
• Nile Rodgers founded the We Are Family Foundation, and Branson launched a partnership with it on CNBC.
• Branson and Rodgers were both activists as young people: Branson protested the Vietnam War through his magazine "Student," while Rodgers was a member of the Black Panther Party, advocating for racial equality and the Free Breakfast for School Children Program.

Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of Virgin, encouraged younger generations to have a positive outlook on the future and emphasized their potential to accomplish great things.

One should not waste any opportunity to make a difference, no matter how small, if they find themselves in a position to do so, as stated by the speaker to CNBC's Tania Bryer last month.

Branson advised young people not to worry about their future due to climate change, stating that they have the potential to achieve great things. He believes that with the right politicians in power, they can overcome this issue.

Branson stated that we can ensure the resolution of global issues, but we simply need to remain focused and unite everyone towards that goal.

Before the reelection of Donald Trump, Branson predicted that the president-elect would withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, a significant climate commitment to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Branson has previously characterized Trump as possessing a "vindictive streak."

Young leaders

Branson has long been committed to helping young people, as evidenced by his founding of the Student Advisory Center in 1967, which provided free advice on sex and relationships. In 2004, he established Virgin Unite, a non-profit foundation that invests in early-stage businesses to promote a better world. In 2018, Virgin Unite launched The NewNow, a group of young leaders who aim to represent the needs of their generation.

Branson spoke to CNBC as Virgin Unite partnered with the We Are Family Foundation, an organization founded by musician and producer Nile Rodgers in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Rodgers, who lost three friends in the attacks, started the foundation to promote dialogue and understanding among different communities.

According to an online release, our sweet spot is working with youth around the world, and our focus will be on climate change, public health, and criminal justice reforms.

Branson emphasized the importance of young people being at the forefront of the conversation to address the current problems, stating that they have the potential to make a significant impact.

As young activists, Branson and Rodgers both stood up for their beliefs. Rodgers joined the Black Panther Party in Harlem and became a community organizer, fighting for racial equality and supporting initiatives such as the Free Breakfast for School Children Program in the late 1960s. Meanwhile, Branson was protesting the Vietnam War through his magazine, "Student."

Branson stated that the differences between individuals are often exaggerated by politicians. In a meeting with someone on the opposite political spectrum, he found that they agreed on most of the world's major issues. However, he lamented that politicians need to create division in order to gain votes, which is unfortunate.

The producer behind hits such as David Bowie's "Let's Dance," Madonna's "Like A Virgin," and Duran Duran's "The Reflex" has toured extensively this year. According to him, every country he's visited has been wonderful, and people are generally terrific. However, he finds that governments are often unstable and run by individuals who don't have the world's best interest at heart.