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By Lindsey Sands
The writer is a Howard County junior high student.
“There is no ethical consumption under capitalism.”
This phrase came to my attention on TikTok. The phrase was used by activists on TikTok to alleviate guilt in underprivileged communities about fast fashion and climate change. Young people may hear the message differently. They believe that there is nothing they can do individually that will make a difference.
I’ve heard this message repeated by some friends.
My friend and I were discussing the importance of individual consumer choices in the context of climate change. She argued that there was nothing we could do about climate change as individuals because there is no ethical consumption under capitalism: “Just do whatever you want because none of it makes a difference anyway.”
She is correct to a certain extent. Climate change requires that we do something more than simply changing our consumer habits, such as thrifting and turning off the lights. Some young people are turning to climate denial as adults struggle to make the necessary changes in time to end the crisis. This isn’t because they don’t care, though. We are worried about the climate change threat and know that there is still so much work to be done.
Young people often feel passionate about the possibility of pursuing careers in combating the climate crisis over the next 10 years. However, many students worry that they won’t make a living wage unless they become doctors or lawyers.
While there has been an emphasis on pathways other than four-year college, many of these options don’t target effective climate action.
Adults should give us the chance. Many of us are doing our best to convince those in power to take action. Since the past year and half, I have been involved in environmental organizing. Currently, I am a co-coordinator of Sunrise Movement’s Howard County hub. We have been calling for sweeping action to create millions of good jobs in green energy and climate justice projects — a Civilian Climate Corps.
Maryland General Assembly currently has two proposals to establish state-level Climate Corps programs. Both of these proposals should be passed in this session. They should be modified to ensure that both programs offer decent wages and benefits.
One proposal is Senate President Bill Ferguson’s Maryland Corps bill. This legislation creates the Civilian Climate Corps program which provides a $15 minimum wages, health insurance, wraparound service, and a $6,000 education award to participants.
This is a great place to start, but it is also important to give workers the right of organization.
Another problem is that it only funds the state park staffing shortages. While staffing parks can be important, it should expand its scope to include projects related to renewable energy and climate justice.
Another option is the Climate Solutions Now ActThis, along with other climate actions, creates a Climate Justice Corps. This program creates jobs in green energies and environmental justice projects, with a focus on working-class communities, especially those that have been most affected by pollution. However, it doesn’t guarantee sufficient wages or benefits, nor the right to organize.
It is vital that a “Justice” Corps in urban areas not rely on underpaid workers to redress historic injustices. This would defeat its purpose.
I know firsthand the importance of ensuring that environmental job programs provide economic benefits to workers. Right now, I am a part of Howard EcoWorks’ EcoAmbassador pilot program. This internship was designed to help students from Howard County plan trash pickups and educate about litter.
One of the most important features of EcoAmbassador’s program is that students participating in it are paid. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work while also receiving a stipend. However, I would struggle to make ends meet if I had to pay rent and insurance. I will have to do this after I graduate.
EcoWorks also offers green job programs like Restoring the Environment & Developing Youth (READY), and UpLift which offer higher salaries. These pilots are used by the state to scale up and improve on existing programs.
It is vital to combat the climate crisis. Climate Corps programs that are truly fair will recognize this and provide good wages, benefits, as well as the right to organize.
The polluters destroying the planet don’t want us to have access to good green jobs because it competes with their labor market, and they profit from pollution and the harm it causes. It is up the adults to ensure we reach adulthood in a world where labor is valued and protected.
