Despite massive climate protests, school walkouts and other pressures, the recent response to the climate crisis from the United States government has been slow and riddled with partisan debate from older generations.
In a Pew Research Survey, political party influenced beliefs about climate change a great deal with 84% of Liberals reporting that human activity affects climate change a great deal while only 14% of Conservatives agreeing.
But questions like ‘what is climate change?’ and ‘what are the causes of climate change?’ are scientific questions, not questions of value and politics.
“And yet, if you ask Americans those questions their answers would differ greatly depending on their values. That means somethings wrong.” Said Dr. Jeffrey Cunningham, Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida.
But young people might be the ones to change the partisan thinking when it comes to climate change and the environment. In fact, in millennials and generation Z Republicans, about one-third believe that climate change is caused due to human activities compared with just 14% of Republican Baby Boomers according to the Pew Research Center.
So why is there such a generational divide, even among those in the same party?
Education
Millennials and Generation Z are the most well-educated generations living today with 53% of millennials and 59% of post-millennials (gen-Z) pursuing a college degree according to the Pew Research Center.
With general science education courses required at most universities, students have a better scientific understanding of the way that the earth is affected by both natural and human activities.
“I hope students would go out of my class knowing about [climate change] and not just what they’re being told elsewhere…And know something needs to be done to help the human race survive,” said Katie Bardsley, Professor of Earth Science at Hillsborough Community College.
Additionally, education allows people to have a better understanding of the context of climate change as a global issue.
“A lot of American students are becoming aware of environmental problems not just here in the U.S but all over the world,” said Dr. Cunningham. This awareness can translate into greater levels of both political and non-political action concerning the environment.
News and Social Media
Young people are “Digital Natives,” or people who were born or brought up during the age of digital technology and therefore familiar with computers and the Internet from an early age.
News and media are ingrained in the daily life of millennials and gen-Zers. Much of their childhood and adolescence have been surrounded by stories of major environmental catastrophes like oil spills, hurricanes and wildfires.
Young activists know how to use media to their advantage. “We use media to educate people and start a conversation surrounding climate change,” said Maria Morales, President of the Climate Action Coalition and student at the University of South Florida.
Environmental movements have also swept through the social media spheres of young people. Most notably the Vegan and Zero-waste movements have gained significant traction with the younger generations.
The #zerowaste tag on Instagram has over 4.6 million posts and #vegan tag has over 89 million posts. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to social media environmental trends.
Increase in Political Involvement
Many gen-Zer’s have not been able to vote until recently but there has still been an increase in political activism and involvement from young people. In fact, the 2018 midterm elections saw younger generations (Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z) outvote their elders for the first time ever according to a Pew Research survey.
But the lack of response from those in power concerning climate change has been a large source of frustration for young people.
“It’s been an uphill battle; many older politicians do want to help but don’t want to make [climate change] their main issue.” Said Morales.
However, this political dynamic has been changing in the upcoming 2020 elections. Many of the Democratic primary candidates state that climate change is at least one of their major issues.
Both progressive candidates Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren have proposed ambitious climate plans as a part of their platforms, but only time will tell if those plans ever see the light of day.
Additionally, legislative plans like the Green New Deal backed by Senator Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have brought a new sense of optimism surrounding the future of environmental policy.
Overall, the message coming from young voters concerning climate change and the environment has been loud and clear. They want lasting change that will protect the future of the earth and their ability to live in it.
