Gen Z: Demands Climate Accountability
The first in a 3-part series on Climate.
Gen Z has been called the “climate change generation”. Born between 1997–2010, they arrived onto an already heated planet where extreme weather events (record-setting droughts, floods, hurricanes and wildfires) had become the norm.
The past five years of their young lives have been the hottest on record, and they’re aware of climate models that eerily track pivotal climate benchmarks with milestones in their lives. The IPCC projects the earth could exceed 1.5C°(a marker for increased ecological/social instability) as early as 2030, when Zs are just 20–33 years old, still living on college campuses, beginning their careers or contemplating starting a family.
Gen Z is the generation that will live out these climate models, like an alternate reality that older generations only imagined. They are the generation that will experience the most severe environmental impacts, while likely also having to navigate unprecedented crises involving climate refugees, profound inequality and resource scarcity, which will test economic, social and political stability.
Think about this: the youngest Zs will actually outlive climate projections that currently only extend through 2100.
When we asked what they expect life on earth to look like in 2050, this generation described heart-wrenching, but grounded scenarios backed by climate science (assuming current trajectories):
“If we stay on this current path we can predict a more catastrophic lifestyle. There will be many more natural disasters. Pollution will be out of control. Animals we saw every day or in zoos as kids will become extinct and we will be forced to wear a mask everywhere because of the deadly diseases and smog.” 20, KY
“Sea levels will rise to the point that major cities that we know, even in the US, will have to be evacuated. People will have to start moving inland. Some places on earth will be uninhabitable due to rising temperatures.” 23, SC
“Many places in the world will become uninhabitable. Population densities in certain areas will explode. There will be conflicts resulting from diminishing resources. All of this will drastically increase economic inequality.” 23, MA
Climate is, and will always be, a part of Z’s reality, with 51% stating “climate change has already had some impact on where I live”, 53% agreeing “climate change will impact my life directly in the next 10 years” and 44% admitting “climate change has impacted how I think about my future”. These truths don’t allow the luxury of climate denial, with Gen Z reporting climate change the #1 most important issue facing the world (source: Amnesty Int’l).
But here’s what the power structure needs to know: Zs are NOT disgruntled youth lamenting the failure of older generations, nor are they idealistic children fixated on tangential projects like saving polar bears from melting ice caps. This generation is about ACTION, not talk. They organize COLLECTIVELY (see Gen Z is WE Generation), creating a formidable power block despite their young age.
Since 2018, Gen Z has emerged as an increasingly sophisticated, solutions-oriented force in demanding climate action. They wield real power. In the last 1 ½ years alone, we have seen Zs testifying before the United Nations, the U.S. Congress, and successfully organizing over 4MM people across 163 countries in a Global Climate Strike demanding a transition away from fossil fuels.
Critically, Gen Z understands the systems and actors that contribute to the climate crisis. While they, as individuals, take daily actions to reduce their environmental impact (e.g.: recycling/reusing/trading, plant-based diets, etc.), they know reducing greenhouse gas emissions hinges on dramatic changes within corporations, governments, our economy and energy systems. Zs find it patronizing when told to recycle trash in their lunchroom while corporations simultaneously burn fossil fuels with relative impunity.
“There’s only so much the average human can do in their daily lives to combat climate change. Recycling and reducing our use of gas/oil can help only so much. Big companies that make millions while continuously straining the earth’s natural resources and causing pollution need to take from profits to fix their carbon footprint.” 20, LA
“Corporations and their carbon emissions are the main contributors. The government needs to commit to lower carbon emissions and hold corporations accountable. Behavior changes from individuals are moot without changes from big polluters like corporations.” 23, IL
“It’s who we put in power that is to blame. We have alternatives to these negative choices, but ultimately, the leaders and CEOs in charge don’t want to impact that change.” 20, TX
Gen Z is DEMANDING accountability from both the public and private sectors. 4/5 of Zs demand that we immediately prioritize investment in renewable energy sources, 2/3 demand greater corporate action/responsibility and 1/2 believe we need increased government incentives and regulations to make this happen. Unlike previous generations, climate is not a partisan issue, with Z Republicans and Democrats aligned on the actions above (source: Pew Research).
“There need to be higher regulations on fossil fuels in order to lower our carbon emissions as soon as possible. Higher regulations will discourage corporations from harnessing those resources and turn to more renewable ones, like wind and solar.” 16, TX
“We need not only our government but the largest societal influencers to stand up and show they are willing to take a stand against the heinous acts of the oil/fossil fuel industry, and hold those in charge accountable.” 22, FL
“Converting to green power is the most important action. We need clean, renewable power that can support us without killing the planet and releasing more carbon emissions.” 21, NY
“We need to shift to low or zero-emission power generation, such as renewables, change our food systems away from land-intensive animal products, electrify transport and develop ‘green infrastructure’, such as building green roofs, or improving energy efficiency by smart urban planning.” 20, AR
Zs are not nihilistic. A look at the largest youth-led climate organizations (e.g.: Fridays for Future, Zero Hour) reveals a focus on building knowledge and solutions. Gen Z believes we can mitigate the current climate trajectory through alternative actions and are vocal in these movements. Fridays for Future hosts a weekly Talks For Future webinar, featuring climate scientists and other experts discussing potential solutions. Zero Hour and National Children’s Campaign are mobilizing awareness of the Green New Deal, support for its bold projects/reforms and galvanizing voter turnout through their #Vote4OurFuture campaign.
To increase their impact, Gen Z is assertively harnessing every tool at their disposal. In a landmark lawsuit (Juliana vs. U.S.), 21 Zs sued the US government for violating their generation’s constitutional rights to life, liberty and prosperity, as well as failing to protect essential public trust resources. During the coronavirus, Zs have moved their activism online, such as #ClimateStrikeOnline, which organizes global youth initiatives every Friday. Zs have begun to use Twitter storms to publicly bombard a corporation/leader acting irresponsibly, as they did this spring with Shell and The Adani Group, demanding a stop to new fossil fuel projects.
Finally, 2020 is the FIRST election in which a significant block of Zs will be eligible to vote (only Zs born in 1997 & 1998 could vote in 2016). Gen Z will make up 10% of the 2020 electorate. Critically, they will surpass the size of the Silent Generation (born 1925–1939) for the first time, creating a significant shift in voter demographics and political priorities. And, as the largest generation (at 27% of the U.S. population), each progressive election year will be increasingly dominated by Zs as more come of age.
Gen Z sees clearly what their future looks like without immediate climate action. They have educated themselves, they have organized and are mounted for a full-on assault against bad climate actors. If you are not on the right side of this, you will be called out.
AnneMarie Evans, Founder/President, ZSpeak & Global Mosaic
