Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we're facing, and it's not just a problem for the future – it's here now. Enter Generation Z: we’re not just spectators; we’re at the forefront of shaping how the world confronts environmental issues. Our passion for the environment is undeniable, but it’s also fueled by the constant onslaught of dooming media, from heart-wrenching scenes of polar bears on melting glaciers to ominous reminders that time is slipping away. Telling someone the world is on a dangerous path can elicit varied responses – some are fueled to take action, while others might feel overwhelmed, thinking, “What’s the point?” In navigating this complex landscape, we need strategies that not only resonate with Gen Z but also inspire and empower us to actively tackle climate change while alleviating the anxiety that looms over our generation.
Signed in 2015 and adopted by almost 200 countries, The Paris Agreement aimed to curb the world’s climate change trajectory and keep Earth’s temperature from surpassing the deemed climate threshold–1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times. The problem is that we are kind of getting there. 2023 was at 1.48 degrees over, and January 2024 was the hottest yet at a whopping 1.66 degrees over. This seems dooming, but climate professional Tom Di Liberto compares it to a speed limit: There’s no magic number where below it, we’re safe, and above it, catastrophe strikes. But we’ve picked a limit where risks get too real. He also explains that the Paris Agreement says we cross the line if we consistently hit 1.5 degrees Celsius for 20-30 years. So, January’s heatwave isn’t as “end of the world,” as some headlines make it sound, and could just be an anomaly caused by natural trends.
But here’s the kicker – most of us don’t take the time to understand what this news really means. We scroll through our feeds, catch a headline like, “2023 breaks records as the hottest year,” and suddenly, climate change feels like a doom party we didn’t sign up for. A study in 2023 found that more than half of parents felt climate change interfered with their plans for having kids (HP). Another study in 2020 found that 63.3% of respondents say that climate change has impacted crucial life plans, including career (Sud). One parent explains her struggle with the idea: “It’s a dilemma — having a kid and being crushed by anxiety about that kid’s well-being, or not having a kid and basically aligning yourself with the idea that the world is not worth bringing people into anymore, which is a very dark place to be” (Schiffman).
Social media, however, has also allowed communities of young adults to come together and combat climate change. From trends toward second-hand clothing to protesting against environmental policies, apps like TikTok have been crucial in uniting youth. Young adults are increasingly thrifting clothing and prioritizing quality and sustainability over price. Owner of an online thrift store, Sidney Hui “says she’s seen a dramatic increase in the demand for thrifted clothing, particularly among Gen Z” and “credits sustainability as being a major selling point,” (Smith). Similarly, 73% of Gen Z shoppers are willing to pay over 10% more for sustainable products (FirstInsight). This large consumer base shows corporations that this is a priority for young adults and we are willing to leave them behind if they aren’t willing to work on sustainable practices. Huge corporations have been influenced to take action and even General Mills promises to “advance regenerative agriculture on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030,” (General Mills). Also on TikTok, Alaina Wood shares weekly “Good Climate News” to reassure young adults, “I feel like my duty as a scientist and climate communicator is to make sure the most accurate information gets out there, especially when inaccurate information impacts people’s mental health,” (Hicks). Social media has even united youth to express their opinions and beliefs, actively changing politicians’ views through short-form media. In anticipation of the Biden Administration’s Willow Project approval, youth from across the world posted to try to stop it. As a candidate who promised no more oil drilling on federal lands, his priority of profits came off as a direct attack on Gen Z activists who had gathered support on TikTok and social media under the hashtag #stopwillow, begging the administration to maintain their promise (Gelles). To further evidence how much these actions matter to young adults, Biden’s approval rating dropped 13% on his climate agenda amongst young voters after the decision to approve the project (Friedman).
Gen Z’s impact isn’t only online. In the US, there have been multiple youth-led lawsuits against their states for the use of fossil fuels. Partnering with initiatives like Our Children’s Trust and Earthjustice, teens in all 50 states have filed for violations of state constitutions’ right to a life-sustaining climate system. While only cases in Hawaii and Montana have made it to a trial, this encourages other judges to allow similar cases in the future (Hofschneider).
This exposure and education doesn’t only come from social media, it is embedded into our K-12 education now. From learning about recycling vs waste in kindergarten to understanding the impact of speaking out for change, students are fueled with information to begin the journey to climate restoration. As a fifth-grader, I remember a project where we tackled an environmental issue in our community. The results were impressive – student-directed films, walk or bike-to-school weeks, and even a presentation to the school board on reducing paper use. By turning these ideas into reality, our school administration showed us that our thoughts and actions could make a real impact.
As we get into high school and have been exposed to some of the harsher realities of climate change, climate anxiety can kick in. Hayden Crocker, founder of a student-led climate nonprofit, explains why he began Go Greenish, “Go Greenish was founded on the basis that in order to mitigate and adapt to climate change holistically, the approach must be taken with the inclusion of students and schools. Go Greenish works to replace rhetoric from adults, saying that we need to listen to youth. Rather, we emphasize that we need to involve youth in climate policy and implementation to address climate change with urgency and effectiveness,” (Crocker).
While our generation is passionate about climate change, it’s essential to recognize that this doesn’t mean we’re always riding high on motivation. Fear of the consequences and occasional demotivation are part of the journey. The key is understanding that we’re in this together, and the small actions each one of us takes contribute to shaping our collective future. The next time someone claims the world is ending, take a moment to research. It’s not too late, and your actions are already making a difference. You aren’t expected to sue your state or start a nonprofit – educating yourself and others is a powerful step. Remember, we are the future, and our voices and opinions shape the future for us all. Stay informed, stay engaged, and remember, each small action counts.
Works Cited
Crocker, Hayden. Personal Interview. Go Greenish Founder. 01 March 2024.
Friedman, Lisa. “For Many Young Voters, Biden’s Support of Drilling in Alaska Casts Pall.” The New York Times, 24 April 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/climate/willow-biden-climate-voters.html. Accessed 27 February 2024.
Gelles, David. “With TikTok and Lawsuits, Gen Z Takes on Climate Change.” New York Times, 21 August 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/19/climate/young-climate-activists.html. Accessed 5 February 2024.
Hofschneider, Anita, et al. “Hawaii's youth-led climate change lawsuit is going to trial next summer.” Grist, 7 August 2023, https://grist.org/accountability/hawai%CA%BBis-youth-led-climate-change-lawsuit-is-going-to-trial-next-summer/. Accessed 27 February 2024.
Schiffman, Richard. “For Gen Z, Climate Change Is a Heavy Emotional Burden.” Yale Environment 360, 28 April 2022, https://e360.yale.edu/features/for-gen-z-climate-change-is-a-heavy-emotional-burden. Accessed 3 March 2024.
Sud, Sanya, and Pritika Das. “Climate Anxiety and the Consequent Lack of Will to Procreate among Gen-Z.” International Journal of Policy Sciences and Law, vol. 1, no. 2, 2020, pp. 994-1012. IJPSL, https://ijpsl.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Climate-Anxiety-and-the-Consequent-Lack-of-Will-to-Procreate-among-Gen-Z_Sanya-Sud-Pritika-Das.pdf. Accessed 5 February 2024.
