It’s ironic that while climate change is a hotly debated topic by politicians, journalists and scientists, most citizens pay little attention to the environment around them. We may enjoy a park down the street, or the trees in our yards, but how often do we really think about these biological specimens? And if at all, how much do we connect them to the crisis at hand?
Studies show that despite believing in the effects of, and speaking out against, the current climate crisis, many citizens still do not take measures to combat the crisis in their daily lives. Even young people, who inarguably will have to bear the brunt of the impending climate disaster, are complicit in these acts. While progress on environmental conservation and degradation is being made, there is still much to be done, and many young adults are demanding action–NOW.
In comparison to previous generations, young people today are more informed and engaged in social issues than ever before, especially due to the prevalence of social media and easy access to information. This has allowed young people to stay updated on environmental challenges and share their concerns with a global audience, as well as receive inspiration from young leaders with platforms like Greta Thunberg.
While this inspiration provides numerous benefits, many young people are still hindered by the society around them. In the busy lives many young people face, including schooling, jobs and hobbies, as well as in a nation with rising inflation, it becomes hard to consistently maintain a sustainable lifestyle. To go out of one’s way to remain sustainable may be costly and time-consuming, even if ultimately it provides ecological benefit. “So many items keep getting more expensive, and those that remain less expensive often come in single-use plastic servings, even if they claim to be recyclable,” says one 16-year-old student.
Many institutions also claim to be sustainable and boast gems like recycling bins and gardens, even if their reality is far darker.
Seventeen-year-old Alanya, a co-president of her high school’s Environmental Club (GAIA), believes these institutions can do a lot better. “I’ve noticed that many school cafeterias use single-use plastic utensils and bottles which can be very wasteful. In classrooms there is also a lot of unnecessary paper consumption,” she says. When asked about some potential solutions, Alanya outlined, “I would recommend to other students to bring reusable water bottles or utensils, as well as to cafeterias to consider composting.”
One prevalent example of the balance between environmental sustainability and the needs of society is artificial turf. Made with petroleum-based materials such as nylon and rubber, while it is practical for football or soccer fields, it has the potential to cause significant environmental and health risks. The synthetic fibers of artificial turf are not decomposable and the chemicals from it leach into the environment. Moreover, it’s a source of microplastic and rubber pollution in the air, waterways, soil collections, and our bodies.
Despite the harmful effects of turf, it is being increasingly adopted in schools and recreational facilities both globally and in the US. Recently, a so-called “turf war” erupted in Washington Heights, New York, over the fate of a dusty center in Bennett Park, and turf debates in a New Jersey suburb have practically torn two close-knit communities apart. Do its positive features outweigh the negative?
For many athletes, it seems to be so. One high school student; a soccer player on both recreational and competitive teams, stated, “We all believe the climate crisis is important and that there is a lot we as a community can do. That being said, our school and town lack the adequate resources to play [sports] safely, and turf seems to be the only practical solution.”
Alanya, a former soccer and ultimate frisbee player, understands this struggle firsthand but believes that, “Sports are a super important part of [American] students’ lives, but I urge institutions to consider the environmental impacts that [turf] has, and try to maintain current grass fields.”
Adolescents are demanding something be done about the impending climate disaster. With inspiration from activists like Thunberg and her organization, Fridays For Future, youth are turning out in droves to combat the issues affecting the environment, and holding institutions and even older generations accountable for the lack of action in the past. “Just because someone owns a recycling bin, doesn’t mean they are acting sustainably or truly care about the environment. We need more action than that,” says Pele, a 16-year-old student.
Because of these conflicting conditions, younger generations are experiencing anxiety from climate change, with 59% of youth reporting that they are extremely worried about impending climate change in a survey by CBS News. Researchers are additionally stressing the importance of fighting against climate change and environmental destruction today, instead of leaving it as an issue for upcoming generations. “Older generations have a responsibility to take action now to mitigate climate change for future generations,” Professor Woutinger Poortinga of Cardiff University reported to The Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) in July 2023.
The connections between climate change and ecological sustainability are undeniable, and we need immediate action to combat them, but while young activists are taking the lead in this fight, their efforts will not be enough without broader support from society.
