Adolescent action on climate change

This story first appeared in Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School’s Inside Prep newspaper on Oct. 24, 2023.

Climate change is 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 The Middle Ages, 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. Today, 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 these 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 (e.g. high schoolers) to offer thought to the issue as well. Society severely undercuts the ideas of youth; meanwhile, some political leaders pawn off the entire idea of the climate crisis onto younger generations to avoid placing 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. This online survey, consisting of 3 climate-related questions, recorded responses from thirty adolescents living across multiple states, who were either friends or classmates.

High School students gather at the Indiana Statehouse to raise alarm regarding climate.

From respondents from California to Maine, 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.

A high school student from Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts said, “There is…serious lack of action from legislators…regarding climate change. Headlines [such as] ‘These young people are fixing the climate crisis’ 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.”

The concern of the quoted high school student is one that is palpable to many young students. Oftentimes, understanding that teenagers care more about their environment than many adults in positions of power brings about a sense of unease. Younger generations must accept the idea that they will live in a world full of environmental troubles unless immediate action is taken. For this reason, youth activism is on the rise and an impactful way to galvanize others into taking action. 

Ultimately, without comprehensive support from the adult public for climate change regulation, there is little that can be done by a group of highly motivated teenagers.

As the future change-makers of the world, however, adolescents provide hope and remain critical in shielding our planet from the impacts of the climate crisis.