Recent reports have found that the world is on track to pass a critical temperature limit by as early as the 2030s. If this happens, climate disasters will be frequent and the Earth’s atmosphere and ecosystems will be altered. While this news is frightening, there are steps that can be taken to prevent this from happening such as government legislation, emissions regulations, and near-term action. However, saying something and acting on what is said are two different things. Young people would know, and they are rightfully angry. Climate change is causing members of the next generation to develop eco-anxiety as they realize they will have to deal with the damage that is yet to come. Older generations must join young people in their fight, or the consequences will be detrimental.
Young people have been on the front lines advocating for action against climate change. Youth-led organizations such as Youth Climate have a variety of working groups, allowing members to fight for targeted change in industries such as agriculture, health, and science. SustainUS trains leaders and delegates to speak out on climate injustices and advocate for sustainable policies. Sunrise worked alongside Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y., to re-birth the Green New Deal. Through countless groups like these, young people have vocalized their growing concerns for the future of their planet — our planet. Yet these claims have not been taken seriously, and some have been ignored entirely.
Older generations are not utilizing the positions of power they presently occupy as lawmakers, voters, CEOs, and educators to stand alongside young people in their fight toward a more sustainable future. The differing generational views regarding climate change leaves young people to fight the dangers of the future alone, all without occupying established positions of changemaking.
Many members of senior generations do not recognize the serious threat that climate change poses to our ecosystem. Furthermore, they often do not realize the risk that climate change can have to their health, such as respiratory and heart diseases, water and food-related illnesses, loss of function, and hospitalization. They are not willing, or may not have the capacity, to make individual, crucial changes to better the planet. From a governmental perspective, the Supreme Court has restricted environmental regulations from holding power, and lawmakers have hesitated to pass laws that could make a significant impact against climate change for the near future.
A future that could be stricken with life-threatening and catastrophic surroundings is scary. “Eco-anxiety,” or the fear of harm to the environment, stems from distress about the future and anger toward the government for not doing more. This impacts a young person’s everyday life, consuming their thoughts. With a lack of support from the education system, young people feel even more alone in this fight. If no one is listening and no change is happening, then pushing forward can feel hopeless.
Climate anxiety among international youth is at an all-time high. In a 2022 poll, “59% of youth and young adults said they were very or extremely worried about climate change and more than 45% said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning,” according to CBS News. More than half expressed a belief that humanity is doomed. These frustrations stem from multiple sentiments: fear for their own lives, fear for the lives of their children and loved ones, and ultimately, betrayal.
The fact that senior generations will likely not experience the same effects of climate change that young people will may explain divergent attitudes toward our deteriorating environment. However, the older generations’ failure to recognize climate change as one of “their problems” is harmful. Not only does their ignorance worsen the problem, but it causes them to ignore the ways in which they suffer from climate change, too. This generational divide must end: Older people have an obligation to help young people save their planet.
Young people can continue what they are doing now; they should not stop protesting alarming decisions, increasing their voter turnout, and creating worldwide initiatives. These calls to action, though, rely on the obligation older populations have to make concrete, lasting changes in the form of environmentally conscious policies and initiatives. Who will have to deal with the effects of an overall warmer atmosphere? Frequent wildfires and natural disasters? Widespread death brought on by famine and drought? Senior generations may not be around for the world’s near-end, but young people certainly will be.
On top of applying to college and keeping up with a part-time job, psychological distress due to a failing planet is an unnecessary and preventable burden on young people. Mental health is something that the youth already grapple with daily, and these everyday struggles have only intensified after the onset of COVID-19. The feelings of an inevitable ecological failure are horrifying. Knowing that this is one’s reality makes an already sobering outlook all the more severe. In the words of a 16-year-old quoted by BBC: “It’s different for young people – for us, the destruction of the planet is personal.”
It is an obligation of current policymakers and older voters to aid young people in their fight. Change can happen, but it has to be pushed for by all. First, older generations should recognize the seriousness and actuality of climate change: It is not a hoax — it is hurting our ecosystems, air quality, food production, and health further and further each and every day. Though 25% of Americans either do not believe in or are unsure of climate change, the effects of it are real; our planet’s temperature is currently the warmest it has ever been, severe droughts and fires are becoming more frequent, communities are being impacted by famine, and our collective safety is at risk.
Listening to the research and suggestions that are currently being made for ways to combat these problems is beyond useful; global frameworks, switching energy sources, and grounding fossil fuels are just a few of many studied ways to make a difference. These solutions would require additional laws and policies to be put into place and largely depend on the commitments of ordinary people. However, progress is being made, and people are on board. Two-thirds of Americans think the government should be doing more, three-fourths support national and international climate change participation, and many participate in initiatives put forth by groups like the EPA to advance science, reduce emissions, and limit one’s own carbon footprint.
The government can respond to the actions of its constituents by enforcing laws and proposing programs that help build an eco-friendly legacy. Voters can elect candidates who promise to protect our planet’s future. If you will not do it for yourself, do it for your children, grandchildren, and all those after them who depend on action to happen now before it is too late.
Young people should continue to fight this battle, but they must be joined by those around them if our future is to exist. Individual actions make an impact, but a united front brought on by collective advocacy and conscientious legislation are steps we must take to generate a lasting difference. It is up to older generations to listen to the legitimate fears of the youth — outcries substantiated by research — and enact the necessary changes. The fate of the world depends on it.
