Our generation
February 4, 2022
As our generation rises up to take the Millennials’ place, the pressure to solve the problems they left behind sits on our shoulders. While this is a massive undertaking, our generation’s passion brings hope for the future.
“Our generation realizes the significance of climate change more than before,” freshman Olivia Hill said. “The previous generations’ ignorance forces us to bring the heat.”
Through protests and rallies, we are bringing awareness to the need for action. Our generation refuses to be ignored by people in power, with individuals such as Greta Thunberg leading the way. But this process is easier said than done.
“Our generation is raising all the concern, but the adults simply don’t listen. When we aren’t supported by our adult counterparts, it’s extremely frustrating and hard to take any action,” junior Anjali Dixit said.
While difficult, the older generations didn’t have the same access to education as us. Since the day we’ve been given a phone, accessibility to information has been at our fingertips. From social media to news sources, teenagers in this day and age have experienced greater exposure to environmental information than ever before.
“We’ve grown up being taught about climate change in the classroom, on the news, and through our Instagram feeds. Our generation actually believes the facts,” junior Nicole Treece said.
Social media may not always be the most reliable source, but it gives a background for people to start researching their own facts. Apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter help spur inspiration, awareness, and passion for world problems with just a click of a button.
“Through social media, anyone can care about climate change,” freshman Olivia Hill said. “Teenagers can see their peers’ concern and become involved.”
However, there’s a big difference between caring about the environment and actually acting. Many teenagers have no issue declaring climate change a problem, but they often don’t go out onto the streets or take the initiative to change.
“People get really scared because they focus on how massive the problem is. We put climate change on the back burner instead of starting now,” Treece said.
As teenagers, we often feel like we are shouting at a deaf wall, fighting to be heard but too often ignored. Adults regularly brush our generation off, simply because of our age and lack of global experience. But this generation refuses to give up. No matter age or experience, there are still things people can do to live sustainably and build a better future.