Marvel's Hulk, Mark Ruffalo, has declared, “Climate change is the greatest threat to our existence in our short history on this planet. Nobody’s going to buy their way out of its effects." The world is changing for the worse by the day. Animals are losing their homes, wildfires are torching cities to the ground, and global hunger is on the rise. When the world is dying, how can anyone be happy? Is anyone thinking about the younger generations, too?
Climate change is triggering grief, rage, and other unpleasant feelings among children and young adults worldwide, according to a poll of thousands of 16- to 25-year-olds (nature). The researchers who conducted the poll explain that this 'eco-anxiety' has negatively influenced respondents' everyday lives. Many of them believe that the government has been negligent in responding to the present climate issue.
According to the same study, which featured 10,000 respondents, it was revealed that the majority of respondents were concerned about climate change. Over 60% stated they were “very worried’ or “extremely worried.” Many people connected negative emotions to climate change, with the most prevalent being "sad," "afraid," "anxious," "angry," and "powerless." Overall, 45% of those polled stated their sentiments about climate change influencing their everyday lives.
Nearly half of those who indicated they had discussed climate change with others stated they were essentially ignored. As said by study co-author Caroline Hickman, a climate-psychology researcher at the University of Bath in the UK, "There is a general 'othering' of children in society and children's voices that contradict the mainstream narrative of society's most powerful group.” Due to their ages, the youth are pushed away without a second thought. Doing so only contributes to their anxiety about the inaction of the older generations.
Moreover, among US social media users, 45% of Gen Z adults have interacted with content on social platforms focusing on the need for climate change action by following an account, liking or commenting on a post, or posting or sharing content about the need for climate change action (Pew Research Center). In comparison, substantially lower proportions of Gen X (27%) and Baby Boomer and older social media users (21%) had engaged with climate change information in any of these ways. Speaking from my own experience, my peers and I are much more hard-pressed to learn how we can help ease the rapid pace of climate change.
The adults are still telling the kids in the room that they need to worry more about the planet's doom, as if they are oblivious to the plague of climate change. This comes across as highly arrogant, condescending, and cruel. What young people require right now is the hope that they will gain a future they deserve. We rely on the grownups to support us by sharing stories of accomplishment, perseverance, and promise. Stop making Gen Z feel like they are not doing enough. Put a stop to alarmism and zealotry.
Climate concern is unpleasant, and the warming of the Earth is a serious problem that must be addressed. Gen Z may combat climate fear by seeking information from credible sources, participating in collaborative projects, and rejecting doom-and-gloom narratives in favor of those that focus attention on themes that allow for action. Therefore, rather than being disappointed by our impacts' limitations, we are even more committed to their protection by focusing our efforts on the scales of our own "spheres of influence." We can succeed if we work together.
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Tiffani Pe
The Carbon Newsprint
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