You Marched for Climate—Now What?
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Were you one of the millions of young people who participated in a Climate Strike on September 20? You were in good company. From New York to Australia, Kabul to Berlin, millions of people poured into the streets marching together for climate action.
The crowds were huge and the energy palpable. You could feel the frustration and the anger. You could read it loud and clear on homemade signs and painted across faces.
The youth are angry. You have every right to be angry. You’re inheriting an Earth in peril. But with the largest climate movement in history, you showed us the tide is changing. There is opportunity. We must keep moving forward with this energy, this empowerment, this fervor. Here is a list of 10 things you can do to keep moving forward. This list is not exhaustive. It is just a start.
#1 Talk about it
In a nationally representative sample, the Yale Center for Climate Change Communication found that 64 percent of Americans “never” talk about climate change with their family and friends. While this is an improvement from the 2015 findings (74 percent), it is still grim. So talk about it—with friends, family, classmates, at the dinner table, in the hallway. Talk about it. Awareness matters.
#2 Register to vote and then GO VOTE
The second you turn 18, register to vote. In the 2018 midterm elections, it is estimated that only 31 percent of those aged 18-24 who were eligible to vote did. We can do a lot better than that. Elected officials are making decisions about the future of our planet. Some of them think that the youth opinion doesn’t matter because the youngest American voters aren’t showing up at the polls. Let’s change that.
#3 Get involved on campus
At your high school or your college, find environmental organizations and join them. If they’re not there? Start them. We’re talking divestment initiatives, sustainability clubs, environmental advocacy groups.
#4 Support environmentally ambitious government leaders—especially at the local level
We need brave leaders (on both sides of the aisle) who prioritize adapting to climate change, mitigating emissions, and moving towards a zero carbon future. Find out who those candidates are in your community and lend your support. You don’t see a candidate who prepares your community for the zero carbon future? Maybe you will become that candidate yourself.
#5 Educate your elders, educate your peers, educate yourself
Know the facts. While international climate reports are dense, they are often accompanied by succinct summaries. You can read the summary findings to the US National Climate Assessment here. Stay informed. You can stay up to date by getting newsletters from places like Inside Climate News. Share information.
# 6 Use your power of choice
We are faced with many choices every day, both big and small. Consumer choices—paper or plastic? How about no bag at all because you remembered to bring your reusable bag! Then there are the really big decisions, like where to go to college. When you are on that campus tour, ask if the school has a climate action plan. As an institution, do they know where their emissions are coming from? Do they have a plan to curb them? And what about if college isn’t for you? Cool. As you chart your career path, choose to work with companies and organizations with clear pro-environment values.
#7 Remember roads are to move people—not cars
This one goes back to choices but deserves to stand alone: our transportation choices. What is the number one source of warming emissions in the United States? Transportation emissions. In cities worldwide, traffic congestion is a growing problem. At the macro level, we need to demand smarter, cleaner, more efficient public transportation. At the micro level, use your choice to bike, bus, train, carpool, whatever you can do to avoid single-passenger rides.
#8 Eat less meat
Another matter of choice that deserves to stand alone. Our current food system puts extreme pressure on the environment and is a major driver of climate change. As an individual you can reduce your personal carbon footprint by adopting a predominantly plant-based diet.
#9 Support renewable energy initiatives
Lawmakers at the state level have been charging forward with renewable energy standards and goals. But in only five states and the District of Columbia do we have concrete legislation for 100 percent zero carbon energy sources by 2050 or sooner. Where does your state stand on the path to 100 percent zero carbon energy? Find out and get involved. You can call your state lawmakers in support of these initiatives.
#10 Stay positive
In the face of this existential challenge it isn’t easy to stay positive. But this is an era of opportunity. When before have we had the opportunity to improve public health, increase economic vitality, create a more equitable world, ignite a technological revolution, save a planet? The time is now. The opportunity is now. Big problems? Big opportunities.
Youth, lead the way.
Lindsey Butler is a PhD candidate in the Department of Environmental Health.