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Their fate is in their hands.
The youngest generation may feel they have little to no control over the future effects of climate change, but they will be responsible for them.
This responsibility comes with the possibility of living in a humanitarian crisis. [SPARKED BY XXX]– Has caused Psychological distress is common among young people.
[MANY SAY]They don’t believe their leaders will make the right decisions for the planet and them. They are disappointed in older generations for putting themselves in this situation and are worried about the future.It has also fostered camaraderie among youth, who are now using their collective voices and actions in order to be the most vocal generation ever to fight for the planet.
Jeeva Senthilnathan (a 19-year-old engineering student at Colorado School of Mines) stated that the climate emergency is already upon us. “We are seeing the entire climate crisis in front of us.”
Lise van Susteren, a general psychiatrist and forensic psychiatrist who studied the effects of climate change on the psychological health and well-being of young people, stated that older generations have a responsibility.
Van Susteren stated, “We must listen.” “They realize that the cumulative impact of climate change is on them.”
These are the things that young people can do in order to avoid climate change.
Make your voice heard
Young people’s greatest asset in the fight against climate change is their ability to make their voices heard on a global scale.
The world’s media have been paying attention since Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teenager, inspired millions of teens in 2018 to protest for climate change.
The protests are filled with young people and often led by Thunberg. They have attracted the attention of the media around the world, echoing with the anger and angst that the young participants feel about the future.
Van Susteren stated that young people, particularly teens, are skilled at arguing with their parents. He also said that when it comes to the climate crisis that catharsis “absolutely crucial”
She said, “Don’t hold it in.” “If it’s churning in your stomach, let it go. Talk about it. Keep talking about it.
Students who are dealing with other overlapping crises like the COVID-19 pandemic or racial injustice are pushing to bring these topics into the classroom.
Senthilnathan has led climate strikes and also met with local legislators for policy discussions. He believes that more of these interactions will help to raise awareness.
Van Susteren stated, “When they work together and combine their voices, it has a much greater impact.” “Make as much noise possible.”
Morgan Edwards warns against the “false dichotomy” between collective action and individual actions. [AN]ABC News interviewed an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who is also a leader of the university’s Climate Action Lab. She said that reducing personal emissions and shameing others’ lifestyles are not fulfilling or effective.
She stated that there is no cost to join the climate movement. “Trying to think only about how you can reduce your emissions can feel lonely. However, being part of something larger, finding a community to join, I think that’s much more empowering. This way, the discussion around climate change centers around those who are responsible, which isn’t you as an person.
Participate in local politics
As young people reach voting age, it is important that they use that power to create change.
If they feel that none of the candidates is up to the task, the young people can help. [RUN FOR OFFICE? – DON”T WANT TO USE TAKE UP ARMS] themselves.
Senthilnathan ran for city council in Golden Colorado. Although she was not elected, she encourages her peers and others to continue fighting for those positions. [I CUT THE PARENTHETICAL UNLESS SHE HAS EVIDENCE OF THAT]
“Election after electoral after election, we still see the fact the climate emergency not really being addressed,” she stated. “Running for a City Council position is a great way for them to like input those policies.”
Senthilnathan stated that one of her goals is to become a White House adviser on climate policy. She also said that it will be important to stop older generations telling people her age they are too young for leadership.
“As youth, it is difficult to have the resources to run for office,” she stated. “I hope people are paying more attention to the youth trying to make a difference.”
Your interests should be used to fight climate change
Experts say that young people do not have to dedicate their entire life to climate activism in order make a difference in protecting the environment.
Edwards said, “The best way for climate action is to think of the thing you love to do.” “So, if your passion is art, you can create art about climate crisis. You can tell stories if your profession is writing.
Senthilnathan, who is a student of engineering, discovered that around 40% to 50% pollution comes from construction engineering while she was studying. Senthilnathan said this is something she hopes future policy will address.
Edwards stated, “I believe, whatever your interest is, climate intersects with it.” “I believe that bringing conversation into the things you love is the best way to take action.
Senthilnathan, a Senthilnathan professor, said that students don’t have to be involved in the climate crisis because the major they are studying has nothing to do. She said that people who study property management or business administration can use their studies to find ways to build and maintain buildings made from more sustainable materials.
Edwards stated, “I believe we need so many perspectives coming into climate crisis, and really to think about how it interacts avec all of these different fields.” “So it’s more than a science, policy or engineering problem.
Fear of the future is a way to live.
Senthilnathan was seated in the front row of the climate emergency following multiple wildfires that destroyed homes There are hundreds of homes close to Boulder, Colorado.It was just weeks ago.
Senthilnathan stated that the winds that helped spread the fires quickly were so strong that they broke her window. She described that week as “terrifying” but also “emotional.” Senthilnathan was stranded in Jefferson County because her father had COVID-19. There was no escape.
She said that activism is the only way she can take control of her destiny and not live in fear.
Van Susteren stated that young people should also find like-minded peers to share ideas with. When you’re young, it’s easy to feel outcast or “the strange one”, especially when older people tell you that you’re too young.
Van Susteren explained that in the past, kids who felt that their concerns about climate change were not taken seriously felt like they were outsiders.
She said that children feel camaraderie when they talk to one another. This is crucial because it makes them feel normal and not strange.
Van Susteren also advised that young people find a mentor who doesn’t write off their concerns.
“They want their teachers to be able to talk about their fear and their school districts to develop curricula that will enable them to think intelligently about climate. [VAN SUSTEREN?] said. “And also to show that adults who are involved with education understand what it is they will need to learn.”
