An Unpromised Future: Youth Climate Activists
Every generation has suffered through their own unique crises. The Greatest Generation fought to survive both the Depression and World War II, at the expense of hundreds of thousands of lives and devastating financial losses. While Baby Boomers grew up with the best economy in modern U.S. history and were also enriched by dramatic progress in civil rights, science and the arts, they still lived under the threat of atomic bombs, the Vietnam War and lingering inequality. Generation X got a front row seat to the horrors of the AIDS epidemic and watched the political climate take a sharp turn into conservatism and neoliberalism. Millennials grew up in the Great Recession of 2008, the worst economic crisis since the Depression. They continue to struggle financially due to the exorbitant cost of higher education and student loan debt rates tripling in the last 15 years – against the background of extreme wealth inequity in the United States.
Finally, we reach my own generation: Z. On the surface, our lives seem pretty pampered. Computers have made everyday life more comfortable and convenient than those born before us could have ever imagined. We can instantly stream movies, television shows and even have a wide selection of disco dancing cat videos! Our curiosities about anything and everything are almost always instantly gratified through a simple Google search. We can stay in touch with our pals, even when living on opposite sides of the world by texting, video chatting and constantly updating each other on social media.
Previous generations often question why such a large percentage of the youth seem soaked in sadness and despair. For God’s sake, we can customize our own personal music playlists based on our moods, what more could anyone ask for?
Perhaps a habitable planet?
We, Generation Z, are the first to grow up with our future and very existence threatened by global warming. The climate emergency continues to endanger more and more lives worldwide. It cannot be resolved through violence and warfare nor pointing blame at another country, unlike the many calamities the preceding generations dealt with. In order to ward off a catastrophic global crisis, every civilization, despite their differences and disagreements, must not only acknowledge the indisputable evidence that the climate crisis is jeopardizing the life of every being on Earth, but also agree to take meaningful steps to save our planet, with the understanding that sacrifices will have to be made.
Unfortunately, the youth’s frightened voices are falling on too many deaf ears. Many elected leaders are choosing instead to prioritize relationships with big corporate interests actively destroying our only home, such as oil companies that contribute to their political campaigns, enabling executives to hoard preposterous amounts of wealth no one could possibly spend in a lifetime.
Because we can’t rely on the people in power and the profiteers to leave us a habitable planet, more members of the youth, many who are still in high school, have decided to take matters into their own hands.
Being a climate activist can often feel like a thankless mission. Speaking up for environmental justice often results in backlash and humiliation from our leaders and sometimes loved ones; it often feels like we aren't changing any hearts, minds or votes. Serious activism is not performative, or for those seeking instant gratification.
One such environmental group that actually walks the walk instead of just talks the talk is Extinction Rebellion Youth Los Angeles, a youth-led organization that takes meaningful action in the fight for a habitable planet. Focusing on activating sustainable, eco-friendly changes in LA County, they have left a strong impact in their community, especially through ongoing demonstrations and collaborating with city officials. For instance, they demanded action from the LADWP on the water crisis in LA and Owens Valley, protested at the Hollywood Sign to command the film industry to declare the climate emergency and started a digital campaign against Chase bank for funding hundreds of billions of dollars to the fossil fuel industry.
Below are responses to a set of questions from members of Extinction Rebellion Youth LA. Their answers not only provide insight into what its like being a youth climate activist, but also how it feels to grow up with an unpromised future.
(Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.)
Zaara Asnani, Los Angeles, 15
If you were in charge of the world's climate decisions, what steps would you take to save our planet?
I would start by ensuring that my team was composed of the world's best scientists. Uplifting indigenous voices, along with those who have been fighting for our climate longer than I have, is one of my priorities. I would ensure that taxes are placed on large corporations, for they are the ones who have the most impact on our climate and CO2 emissions. Encouraging education about the climate crisis and making it accessible is another step to ensure the entire world is on the same page. Accessibility, or lack of it, is a huge issue when talking about the climate. Many people are not able to educate themselves or even take small precautions in their household. As a leader, I would not only fight for accessibility, but make it a reality.
2. What scares you the most about global warming's impact in the next 100 years?
The numbers are my biggest fear. The numbers of lives lost, people displaced, species extinct or endangered, and the number of people who still refuse to acknowledge the issue. I fear the next 100 years, but also the next 5, 10, 15 years if we do not address and acknowledge this crisis.
3. If you had the chance to send the entire human population a message about the climate crisis in a single sentence, what would you say?
The climate crisis affects us all; you are not immune; you are not an exception; you can make change.
Dilan Gohill, 15, Los Angeles
If you were in charge of the world’s climate decisions, what steps would you take to save our planet?
First, I would enforce a just transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy by 2035, especially prioritizing jobs in this new industry for blue collar workers who previously were involved with fossil fuels including but not limited to coal miners, oil extractors, and more. Second, I would regulate multinational and national corporations who cut down trees, dump toxic waste, etc., by implementing a series of fines, tariffs and legal actions. Third, I would provide reparations and free adequate healthcare, housing, and more to underfunded and BIPOC communities who have been affected by environmental racism and climate injustices for decades. Finally, I would build an effective and affordable high-speed rail system across the United States to provide an alternative to flying.
2. Describe how it feels growing up with an unpromised future.
It’s scary! Growing up with an unpromised future affects our generation’s mental health and outlook on life. Why am I studying until 2 am? What is the purpose of sitting through hours of lectures? How far will the education I’m receiving take me if I don’t even have a future?
3. With the coronavirus pandemic, how has Extinction Rebellion Youth LA managed to stay active while keeping all members safe? What’s different and challenging about this unprecedented time?
The fight for climate justice doesn’t stop at in-person actions. We’ve changed our approach to include education and inspiration. Recognizing that a lot of people are at home and have a lot more free time on their hands, we thought it was a great opportunity for education. Activism over quarantine depends on the creation of educational webinars, protests and several influential social media campaigns. Even though life is primarily digital, people continue to take action and make a difference.
Madeline Knight-Weber
What scares you the most about global warming’s impact in the next 100 years?
The idea of humans trying to live on an unlivable planet really bothers me - especially when the richest would be granted the best care with access to the most resources. Really it's just the sense of impending doom.
By 2100, what kind of future on Planet Earth do you dream of becoming a reality?
On an extremely basic level, I hope that we've come up with an ecologically friendly way to survive - as well as mend, if not completely heal, all of Earth that we've destroyed.
Kimberly Espinosa, 16, Los Angeles
1. If you were in charge of the world’s climate decisions, what steps would you take to save our planet?
There needs to be a collective push against the fossil fuel industry. Many profit-driven corporations have managed to get away from the damage they have caused not only to the environment, but our communities as well. The disproportionate number of oil refineries in low-income neighborhoods must be addressed. We need community-based decisions and actions. Most importantly, I would fight for climate justice on behalf of indigenous communities against the destruction of their lands by greedy corporate interests. The environmental justice movement must also be anti-capitalist as capitalism requires the commodification of whatever it can exploit and will only continue to cause detrimental effects to the environment and the lower classes.
2. What are the biggest challenges you face as a climate activist?
As a youth member of the Latine community, I have found some actions and resources not as accessible as they should be. With quarantine taking place because of COVID-19, I had time to join local online groups with other youth throughout the Los Angeles area since I was not in school al the time. However, not everyone has access to an electronic device and/or stable internet connection which is a barrier. As a daughter of parents who only speak Spanish and Zapotec, I spend a lot of time translating vital information and resources for them and other parents and community members. Many of them are also not familiarized with the use of technology or social media, so we need to make sure that information, resources, actions and organizing are accessible.
Describe how it feels growing up with an unpromised future.
It is frustrating. It is frustrating to hear many politicians say that youth is the future, while not taking any immediate action to actually help protect our future. This is especially why we must continue to organize now.
Zoe Eastham, 15, Los Angeles
If you were in charge of the world’s climate decisions, what steps would you take to save our planet?
I would take a lot of steps to save our planet if it were up to me. Among the most important are switching to 100% renewable energy (within the next ten years!), imposing carbon taxes on corporations, working to protect clean water and air for everyone, and decreasing animal agriculture emissions by collectively consuming less animal products.
Describe how it feels growing up with an unpromised future.
Growing up with an unpromised future is crushing. I'd love to have kids, for example, but by age 12 I'd already decided against it. I knew that it would be unethical to bring a child into this world given how dire the climate crisis is looking. It feels like I've taken all of my dreams and tailored them to the reality of a dead planet.