Climate change is, undeniably, an issue that humanity has been battling since the beginning of our existence.
In the Paleolithic era, the Ice Age altered vegetation patterns and almost wiped out humans. During medieval times, the Medieval Warm Period caused temperatures to rise and variations of crops to be decimated due to the heat. The Industrial Revolution caused severe deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. Now, as the effects of climate change become more visible on our Earth, it has become one of the most controversial issues that humanity faces.
Adults have expressed a diversity of opinions on the topic of climate change through the media and through political representation. While mature perspectives are significant, especially in a situation that will affect the future of humanity and the Earth itself, it is necessary for younger generations (i.e. high-schoolers) to offer thought to the issue as well. Society severely undercuts the ideas of the youth; meanwhile, some political leaders pawn off the entire idea of the climate crisis onto younger generations to avoid finding mitigation strategies as a top priority.
The effects of climate change are vast; therefore, I asked adolescents, who, arguably, should be one of the primary action-takers to address climate change, if climate change does or does not worry them and why.
From respondents from around the country, an overwhelming majority of 97% were, in fact, concerned about climate change. Cited reasons for concern included adverse health outcomes, overall caliber of natural resources and ecosystems, the impact on future generations and organisms, and political inaction. The well-being of humanity, other organisms, and Planet Earth itself are, evidently, some of the most important grounds of interest among current adolescent discussion; however, many members of younger generations are focusing on political action as a mitigation strategy.
“There is…a serious lack of action from legislators…to…fight against climate change. I keep seeing headlines [such as], “These young people are fixing the climate crisis” [which are] equally concerning as…inspiring. It seems as if older generations have completely disregarded climate change, instead viewing it as Gen Z’s problem. While I believe in the strength of youth activism, that can only get us so far,” says one high school student from Massachusetts. Youth activism is an impactful way to galvanize others into taking action. The concern of the particular high school student quoted above, however, is one that makes much of the world agitated. Understanding that, oftentimes, still-developing teenagers care more about their environment than many fully-matured adults in positions of power brings about a sense of uneasiness.
Ultimately, without comprehensive support from the adult public for climate change regulation, there is little that can be done with support from simply a small group of highly motivated teenagers. With this in mind, as the future change makers of the world, adolescents still play a crucial role in shielding our planet from the impacts of the climate crisis.
