t the center of the more recent political debates and speeches is the notion that both climate change and its global impact need immediate action and resolution. Those who argue that there are geopolitical threats of more immediate consequence often ignore what many youth activists, typically from the ages of 15 to 35, believe: There is an immediate necessity to take action against climate change.
They ignore such views at their peril. Political decision–making has become increasingly influenced by youth climate change activism as generational differences are highlighted by the complex issue of climate change. The August 2023 ruling by Montana District Court Judge Kathy Seeley which found Montana’s evaluation of fossil fuel permits unconstitutional illustrates the impact that youth climate change activists are having on climate change discussions. Furthermore, it highlights the fact that youth climate change activism and previous generations' response will have future political and legislative impact and must be taken seriously.
Judge Seeley ruled, “Montana's emissions and climate change have been proven to be a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana's environment and harm and injury to the youth.” The specificity of this ruling, as it is directed toward youth, demonstrates the passion of youth climate change activists and illustrates the power of their commitment.
Activism in any form is rooted in the desire to create a better present and future. Global changes and world events alter the priorities of different generations. In recent years, a generational divide in prioritization has emerged between a growing cadre of youth activists and previous generations of global and political figures. Youth activists in recent years have been vocal on their prioritization of what they view as pressing issues, particularly climate change and their own involvement in the political and global world.
Generation Z has expressed its desire to to take action against climate change through speaking out, protesting, and lobbying for legislative action. The impact of changing environments and global warming is likely of greater importance to younger people because they see action against climate change as increasingly necessary for the survival of the world they will inherit.
Youth activists are more focused on climate change as they have a greater need to invest in the future. The efforts made by these youth climate activists are impeded by a generational presumption of a lack of experience and a difference in opinion in what the main goal for change should be. The focus on a better future is hindered by global and social crises that arise in the present, which take the focus off environmental indicators that action needs to be taken against climate change. The debate over climate change often strives to be heard over global conflicts over economic conditions and human rights violations.
The increase in vocality among youth activists have put many of them in the public and political spotlight. Activists like Elise Joshi, who recently spoke out against an oil drilling project in Alaska at a White House press conference in July 2023, have remained unafraid to voice their opinions on climate issues. Unfortunately, even though news and media attention give youth activists a platform for their activism, this exposure naturally leads to an increase in public scrutiny. Youth activists are often accused of not fully understanding the political or global world given their age and new involvement with decision-making and activism. Put simply, they are not taken seriously.
The public reaction to Greta Thunberg, a climate change activist who gained notoriety at the age of fifteen, exemplified the assumption made by politicians and the public alike that youth activists either have no real reason to want political or global change or that their lack of experience should not allow for them to be involved in the conversation. Thunberg garnered large amounts of media attention and scrutiny, as she was simultaneously criticized and celebrated for her youth.
When activists like Thunberg aren’t taken seriously, it hurts their ability to advance legislation. Furthermore, it exposes their critics as unserious in the eyes of younger generations. Many youth climate change activists have expressed concerns that older generations are unaware or unserious about the future of the world that the youth will inhabit. Thunberg herself, at the World Economic Forum in 2020, stated, “Our house is still on fire. Your inaction is fuelling the flames by the hour. We are telling you to act as if you loved your children above all else.”
The deep investment of younger people in climate change activism indicates that youth voices in activism are going to continue to become more vocal and powerful online, in the streets, in international forums, in lawsuits and in legislative action. Legislators and politicians alike are going to be faced with the reality that youth-led activism on climate change isn’t going away, and should be engaged with as a force with which to be reckoned.
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Why youth climate change activism must be taken seriously
Student climate protest in Berlin, 2019. Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash
January 21, 2024
Youth climate activism is increasingly influencing political decision–making. Yet these climate activists are often dismissed in public discourse, and that’s harmful for everybody, writes Irelan Fletcher.
A
t the center of the more recent political debates and speeches is the notion that both climate change and its global impact need immediate action and resolution. Those who argue that there are geopolitical threats of more immediate consequence often ignore what many youth activists, typically from the ages of 15 to 35, believe: There is an immediate necessity to take action against climate change.
They ignore such views at their peril. Political decision–making has become increasingly influenced by youth climate change activism as generational differences are highlighted by the complex issue of climate change. The August 2023 ruling by Montana District Court Judge Kathy Seeley which found Montana’s evaluation of fossil fuel permits unconstitutional illustrates the impact that youth climate change activists are having on climate change discussions. Furthermore, it highlights the fact that youth climate change activism and previous generations' response will have future political and legislative impact and must be taken seriously.
Judge Seeley ruled, “Montana's emissions and climate change have been proven to be a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana's environment and harm and injury to the youth.” The specificity of this ruling, as it is directed toward youth, demonstrates the passion of youth climate change activists and illustrates the power of their commitment.
Activism in any form is rooted in the desire to create a better present and future. Global changes and world events alter the priorities of different generations. In recent years, a generational divide in prioritization has emerged between a growing cadre of youth activists and previous generations of global and political figures. Youth activists in recent years have been vocal on their prioritization of what they view as pressing issues, particularly climate change and their own involvement in the political and global world.
Generation Z has expressed its desire to to take action against climate change through speaking out, protesting, and lobbying for legislative action. The impact of changing environments and global warming is likely of greater importance to younger people because they see action against climate change as increasingly necessary for the survival of the world they will inherit.
Youth activists are more focused on climate change as they have a greater need to invest in the future. The efforts made by these youth climate activists are impeded by a generational presumption of a lack of experience and a difference in opinion in what the main goal for change should be. The focus on a better future is hindered by global and social crises that arise in the present, which take the focus off environmental indicators that action needs to be taken against climate change. The debate over climate change often strives to be heard over global conflicts over economic conditions and human rights violations.
The increase in vocality among youth activists have put many of them in the public and political spotlight. Activists like Elise Joshi, who recently spoke out against an oil drilling project in Alaska at a White House press conference in July 2023, have remained unafraid to voice their opinions on climate issues. Unfortunately, even though news and media attention give youth activists a platform for their activism, this exposure naturally leads to an increase in public scrutiny. Youth activists are often accused of not fully understanding the political or global world given their age and new involvement with decision-making and activism. Put simply, they are not taken seriously.
The public reaction to Greta Thunberg, a climate change activist who gained notoriety at the age of fifteen, exemplified the assumption made by politicians and the public alike that youth activists either have no real reason to want political or global change or that their lack of experience should not allow for them to be involved in the conversation. Thunberg garnered large amounts of media attention and scrutiny, as she was simultaneously criticized and celebrated for her youth.
When activists like Thunberg aren’t taken seriously, it hurts their ability to advance legislation. Furthermore, it exposes their critics as unserious in the eyes of younger generations. Many youth climate change activists have expressed concerns that older generations are unaware or unserious about the future of the world that the youth will inhabit. Thunberg herself, at the World Economic Forum in 2020, stated, “Our house is still on fire. Your inaction is fuelling the flames by the hour. We are telling you to act as if you loved your children above all else.”
The deep investment of younger people in climate change activism indicates that youth voices in activism are going to continue to become more vocal and powerful online, in the streets, in international forums, in lawsuits and in legislative action. Legislators and politicians alike are going to be faced with the reality that youth-led activism on climate change isn’t going away, and should be engaged with as a force with which to be reckoned.
