They worried they have no future.
4 days ago (Medium.com)
Not long ago, a science teacher at a local middle school graciously gave me some time at the end of her day to discuss what students are learning about climate change.
When I arrived, two students were still in the classroom — young girls who were laughing and chatting as they helped tidy up the desks.
“Looks like you’re still working,” I said, standing in the doorway. “Is this still a good time to talk?”
“Yes, come on in,” she said, smiling and waving me in. “We’re just waiting for my daughter. I told them you were coming, and they might be interested in our meeting since the topic affects them, too.”
“Great!” I enthusiastically replied. I turned to the girls and blurted out, “So, what do you think of climate change?”
They froze like deer in headlights.
Their laughter abruptly stopped. An expression of unease washed over their faces as they shifted their gazes toward one another. After a moment of awkward silence, they drifted back to futzing with the desks.
In a low voice, the teacher explained, “It’s a scary subject for them. They don’t feel like they can make a difference, so it’s hard for them to talk about it.”
Crap, I thought. What have I done?
Young People are Terrified of the Future
A teenager’s weightiest worries should be along the lines of “How am I going to pass math?” or “I wonder if Tommy likes me?”
They shouldn’t be asking themselves “How am I going to survive global warming?”
And yet, they are.
A study published in Lancet Planet Health in 2021 gathered responses from 10,000 children and young people (16–25 years old) in ten different countries. Findings indicated 59% of respondents were “very or extremely worried” about climate change.
More than 50% of those surveyed said they felt “sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless and guilty.” And, more than 75% saw the future as “frightening.”
There’s Been A Mindshift Among Students
In May 2022, Julia Steinberger, an ecological economist at the University of Lausanne, wrote about her experience giving a climate presentation at her old high school in Geneva.
In 2019, she noted how students showed unbridled enthusiasm and optimism. They were “excited” and “engaged.” The students had agency over their destinies.
Three years later, at a similar high school presentation, the students appeared bored and distracted. During the Q&A session, Steinberger learned why the assembly was so aloof.
A young girl took the mic and began her rapid-fire questioning. “Why are you here talking to us? We can’t do anything…”
Backed by the thunderous applause of her classmates, the student let it rip.
“Only politicians, only business leaders, can make the big changes you are talking about. Why aren’t you talking to them? … we have to act within just a few years — and nothing happens, nothing changes …”
The students’ indignation and sense of hopelessness shook Steinberger.
It’s An Uphill Fight Against Global Warming
In June 2023, Montana District Court Judge Seely ruled that “a provision of the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) prohibiting consideration of greenhouse gas emissions and corresponding climate change impacts in environmental reviews … violated the plaintiffs’ right to a clean and healthful environment under the Montana Constitution.”
The lawsuit, brought on behalf of 16 plaintiffs ranging in age from 5 to 22 years old, represents hope in the fight against climate change. That’s the good news — the glass half-full view.
Unfortunately, on the flip side — this unprecedented victory for environmental protections against climate change only applies in Montana.
Another issue — it appears Judge Seely’s ruling will be appealed to the Montana Supreme Court where it could possibly be overturned.
The fight is not over.
It makes perfect sense that an environmental policy that does not take greenhouse gases into consideration is not worth the paper it’s written on. So, why would there be any pushback on such a logical conclusion to this lawsuit?
Greed. Status Quo. Greed.
No wonder young people are frustrated and angry.
Following the landmark decision in Montana, The New York Times engaged with high schoolers across the country asking them what they believed their role should be in the battle against climate change.
A student from Philadephia stated, “Climate change shouldn’t be our problem, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be the solution.”
Another from Colorado admitted to being scared, saying, “I don’t know what to do.”
Today’s youth face a dilemma not of their doing, and they are not shy about putting the blame on the generations before them — where it belongs.
The Effort to Change the Narrative
You can’t discuss kids and climate change without bringing up Greta.
In September 2018, then 15-year-old, Greta Thunberg bravely put a stake in the ground and began her protest against climate change in front of the Swedish parliament. The “Fridays For Future” strike continues today.
It’s difficult to see any direct impact on how businesses and governments operate, but her efforts have not stopped. And, while Greta can be a controversial figure, her motivation is deeply rooted and her intent earnest. She continues to throw a spotlight on the dangers of climate change with every protest, every speech.
Not every young person possesses the wherewithal of Greta, but that doesn’t mean they cannot contribute to the solution, and that’s the message young people need to hear.
Regardless of age, everyone can make a difference. Every step taken against climate change contributes to a bigger movement.
What Do The Youth Need? Hope! When Do They Need It? Now!
At her next climate presentation, the ecology economist Steinberger took a different tactic. She realized the students “didn’t need to hear about emission trajectories: they needed to hear about trajectories of popular struggle, when and how people without power changed the world.”
She put away her powerpoint and listened. She then went on to review the slides focused on solutions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) annual Synthesis Report.
She gave the students something positive to focus on.
We can’t just hand our youth a flyer saying “Welcome to the Apocalypse and, BTW, sorry.”
Hollow promises by government and business leaders cannot be the only messages reaching our young. Children need to believe they can still salvage a future on this planet. They need to see a path forward — one that’s paved, not with false hope and lies, but attainable goals and ways to ensure the earth is inhabitable for them and generations to come.
We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know
Optimism for the future has it’s critics. I’ve read many articles and reports lamenting we are doomed. I strongly believe this perspective is short-sighted and injurious.
A recent Medium piece by George Dillard adeptly summarized what I keep thinking. We don’t know what we don’t know.
Whatever You Think Climate Change Will Be Like, You’re Wrong
Predicting disaster is impossible but important
Dillard recaps the speculation swirling around the pandemic that swept the planet in 2020. He points out all the things we imagined, as well as the things we could never have imagined.
He goes on to say, “Life in the age of climate change will likely be weirder in some ways than we anticipated, and more mundane in others.” In other words, we can only speculate (again) on what the future holds — as we try to bolster our minds and efforts against the impacts of climate change, let’s be open to all possibilities and not just catastrophize.
What Are You Prepared to Do?
While there are young people willing and able to take up the mantle against climate change, there’s a whole slew who suffer in silence. In either case, our kids need to know adults do care. They need to know adults are also trying to change the trajectory of this planet’s health.
Whether an educator, a parent, or just concerned adult, any grown-up can find some way to help reassure young people there is hope.
- Listen
If a child seems distressed, but unable to express his/her concern, offer to listen. Sometimes being heard can make a difference. - Remind Kids of Social and Environmental Successes
– How species like Humpback Whales were saved from extinction
– How we repaired the hole in the Ozone Layer
– How we ended Apartheid in South Africa - Help youth to reframe their narrative into a Hero’s Journey
A recent study found perceiving one’s life as a Hero’s Journey is associated with enhanced well-being, greater life satisfaction and reduced depression - Focus on Solutions
– Help kids learn the proper way to recycle
– Take kids on a tour of the local Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
– Set up composting at a school
– Advice students on how to contact govenment representatives
– Assist children explore careers that help fight climate change
The Bottom Line
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
Our kids don’t want to hear any more statistics. They know things are bad. They need to know all is not lost.
Children want to hear about successes and solutions, so let’s teach them about the wins and help them find answers.
And, everyone must understand — including our world’s youth — it is the greatest of mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can.
Everyone needs to step up.
No matter how small a step taken, a step forward is progress.
30-year-career in Healthcare | BA Economics, UC Davis | MBA, Cornell JGSM | Recycling researcher; believer we can do better https://medium.com/@theresaannstory
