A generational call to action against climate change | August 5, 2022 | Almanac | Almanac Online |

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Viewpoint - August 5, 2022

A generational call to action against climate change

by Zachary Meyer

If you were born after 1981, you are a part of the "Climate Generation" — the generation of people who have lived exceptionally aware of anthropogenic climate change. This generation has also grown up with unprecedented access to information and media, which has created a jaded and pessimistic group of people. The younger side of the Climate Generation, Generation Z, also exhibits the highest rate of depression, stress and anxiety of any generation.

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Zachary Meyer graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 2019 and currently works as an intern at Menlo Spark.

Comments

Posted by John McKenna
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Aug 5, 2022 at 11:10 pm

John McKenna is a registered user.

Thank you for your viewpoint, Zachary. I, for one, hear your voice and share your concerns. I have an eight year old daughter and know that things have to change dramatically - business as usual spells trouble. I am learning what I can do as an individual to make a difference. Please keep using your voice for positive change - it has a powerful impact. I have hope for the future and am taking actions to do what I can to preserve a livable planet for my daughter, your generation, and future generations. And there are many others doing the same - the momentum is building and many of the solutions (which may not be perfect but are far better alternatives) that we need are available to be implemented now. This will not be easy, in fact it will be incredibly difficult, but is absolutely necessary and it can be done. The co-benefits of better health, greater equality, cheaper and more reliable energy, job creation (with a focus on creating new jobs for those in the fossil fuel industry), environmental and social justice, less animal cruelty, and a greater respect for the environment, just to name a few, are even more reasons for us to work together and put forth the effort needed. As Jane Goodall stated, "Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.”


Posted by Michael
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Aug 13, 2022 at 7:59 am

Michael is a registered user.

This is a sobering take Zachary. Seems timely with all the NIMBY anti housing rhetoric going on in the other threads here currently. As a Gen X member I will actively work to do better.


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