Pirate's Cove

Can you guess what’s missing from this article? What these GenZ and Millennials are doing in their own lives

Gen Z, Millennials Stand Out for Climate Change Activism, Social Media Engagement With Issue

In the first year of Joe Biden’s presidential term, climate, energy and environmental policy have been the subject of renewed federal attention. In recent months, the United States has rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency has moved to sharply restrict greenhouse gas emissions, and Biden has outlined a range of policy goals, including getting the U.S. to “net-zero” by 2050.

Even as Americans identify a number of pressing national problems, majorities see an array of actors, from government to business, as doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change and are broadly supportive of a range of policy approaches that would help address climate change, including moving toward renewable energy sources, developing infrastructure for electric vehicles, and increasing taxes and restrictions on carbon emissions.

Notice how most of that is all about punishing Other People, not changing one’s own lives to accord with the beliefs. They’re going to be very surprised when all those things end up boomeranging back in the form of higher consumer prices and governmental restrictions on their lives and choices.

There’s a big difference between that Hotcoldwetdry should be a top priority and being one for individuals. And changing a lightbulb to a CFL doesn’t count as action.

But meaningful generational differences over the need for climate action, and engagement with the issue, stand alongside these partisan divisions. Younger activists are often at the forefront of the climate debate, with voices such as those of Greta Thunberg and the Sunrise Movement – a youth-led political organization urging increased attention to climate change – among the most visible in global conversations advocating climate action.

Younger Americans – Millennials and adults in Generation Z – stand out in a new Pew Research Center survey particularly for their high levels of engagement with the issue of climate change. Compared with older adults, Gen Zers and Millennials are talking more about the need for action on climate change; among social media users, they are seeing more climate change content online; and they are doing more to get involved with the issue through activities such as volunteering and attending rallies and protests.

While many forms of political engagement – such as voting – tend to be higher among older adults, 32% of Gen Zers and 28% of Millennials have taken at least one of four actions (donating money, contacting an elected official, volunteering or attending a rally) to help address climate change in the last year, compared with smaller shares of Gen X (23%) and Baby Boomer and older adults (21%).

See, they’re more engaged, but, they aren’t actually taking personal actions. Surprise? 76% of Gen Z and 81% of Millennials are willing to give up fossil fuels, but, they aren’t actually doing so.

There’s a ton more interesting information in the article separate from the Gen Z/Millennials. But, the poll still fails to ask a relevant question: what are you doing in your own life?