Rising sea levels, deadly heat waves, mass migration and famine – this is the future today’s young climate change activists are trying to avoid. But many say it’s harder than they thought.
Globally, the vast majority of young people are concerned about the potential impacts of climate change. In a 2021 study of 10,000 people between the ages of 16 and 25 in 10 countries, 84% of respondents reported being at least “moderately concerned” about the climate crisis.
This concern has spawned a large group of teenagers and young adults who have become central figures in communicating the long-term effects of global warming, catapulting people like Greta Thunberg to international prominence.
Multiple young activists told USA Today that they are motivated to keep going, but that challenges and distractions are mounting. Some fear that frustration will one day turn to apathy.
“There are so many other things to focus on that are distracting us from the climate group,” said Sarah Goody. She started working in climate in sixth grade and is now a rising senior at Redwood High School in Larksburr, Calif.
She has witnessed the damage burnout has done to the enthusiasm that many consider to be at the heart of the youth climate movement: “I think over time some of that enthusiasm and energy is starting to be lost.”
Here are some of the challenges that today’s young climate activists say they face:
Adult abdication of responsibility
Julie Sifuentes, of the Oregon Health Authority’s health and climate team, said there is a trend in the climate movement to elevate youth voices. There are pros and cons, she says.
Sifuentes said that in interviews with young organizers of a study published in June, many told her they felt a sense of responsibility for tackling climate change. They often feel that society has put the onus on young people to solve environmental problems caused by previous generations.
“It’s much more urgent than that,” Sifutes said. “Waiting for [young activists] is a bit of a neglect of adult responsibility that they can do something about now.”
Maryama Warsame, 18, said she sees it in her actions, especially when adults affirm her work but don’t actually make changes.
“When they ignored our cries for climate justice, they took advantage of us,” Warsame said. “A lot of times, I think it’s just showing emotion, and they don’t necessarily care what we say.”
Activism during the pandemic has exacerbated the disparity
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect People’s Daily lives, environmental groups say the current crisis is undermining efforts to tackle the looming climate crisis.
Since the start of the pandemic, organisers in privileged positions have been more likely to remain involved in climate work, while marginalised activists have been forced to cope with the compounded impact of COVID-19 on their lives.
That’s what Penelope Chester, chief operating officer of Alliance for the Future, observes in her work with youth-led grassroots organizations to advise and support student leaders.
“The activists who have better support networks and are more privileged in general are the ones who will be able to stick it out. And those who struggle more in their personal lives or in their communities tend to decline.” “Said Chester. “The current situation makes that distinction even more frightening.”
It’s an uphill battle to change even a little bit
The Inflation Reduction Act passed earlier this month has been hailed as landmark legislation, in part because of its climate provisions, but activists say elected officials should be more aggressive.
“A lot of times our representatives don’t really look forward,” said Maya Hidalgo, 18. Originally from Bloomington, Minn., she has worked on a wide range of projects, including statewide efforts to standardize climate justice education.
“They’re not looking into the future and seeing the impacts of climate change — they’re looking into the immediate future to see what’s going to benefit them now.”
Similarly, Warsame said she was in many cases treated by lawmakers as an asset, rather than a real concern, by her presence and voice. She says members of marginalized communities often experience this.
Life goes on
Although many young people have taken up the cause of climate action, the mental and emotional toll of their work continues to mount. Organizers say it is often a challenge to strike a balance between activities and other elements of life, such as academics and other extracurricular activities.
For Hidalgo, much of the past year has been about changes on the ground. From composting and creating a community garden to climate education, Hidalgo spent much of her senior year improving her high school level. As she prepares for college, she said, she plans to stay focused on organizing and localizing it, something she hopes to incorporate into her career as well.
“I try to focus on a few things so I don’t feel overwhelmed,” Hidalgo said. “You feel like you’re making progress in a particular area, rather than on the broader issue, because no one can solve the whole problem.”