Editor’s Note: This blog was authored by Jayden Rehwalt, ICL’s 2024 Andrus Scholar.
As a young climate activist, I have been told many times by people older than me how grateful they are that someone young is willing to step up and fix the climate crisis. There’s always an apology added, saying sorry for handing us a messed up climate and a political landscape so tangled that finding solutions feels nearly impossible on some days. But this isn’t just our burden to bear—it’s our opportunity to redefine the future. If we’re given the chance, we can—and we will—fix it.
Growing up in the shadow of climate change means that we (today’s youth) are overly aware of the sacrifices needed to mitigate its worst effects and adapt to avoid the worst impacts. It’s infuriating knowing that our future opportunities are strangled because of past choices, often made by those who aren’t going to have to face the same long-term consequences. Our present action is all we can control, and we’re trying our hardest to enact change at the speed and scale that’s necessary to enjoy a summer picnic without being choked by wildfire smoke.
Unfortunately, many climate solutions require sacrifices and big changes that decision-makers are not ready for. But change doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. Steering these changes now is far better than dealing with the unmanageable consequences of a full-blown climate crisis. Yes, the the transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy sources will have different impacts on viewsheds, wildlife, and jobs—but investing in clean technology can help build resilient energy systems that will withstand the increasing severity of climactic events, lead to more clean energy jobs than dirty fossil fuel jobs, and help us better stabilize wildlife habitat for the long run.
Making these changes now means our generation isn’t going to be forced to deal with a 2.0°C world. We are done just sitting and receiving the decisions made by people who won’t have to live through the consequences of their decisions. We are the generation that will bear the weight of climate inaction, and we refuse to watch our planet burn while we stand by.
I’ve had a lot of conversations with friends recently who feel like everything is already too messed up, that there’s nothing we can do to change it. But I’m here to tell you that there is still so much we can do, and it starts with finding our agency and channeling our anger. Anger can be a powerful motivator—it pushes us to take action, to refuse to accept the status quo, and to fight for the future we deserve. We cannot allow hopelessness to paralyze us.
Taking action can look a lot of different ways, but even just talking about climate change is one of the most effective tools everyone has to save our planet. Even better is joining the fight by finding a job in the climate or energy space. Whether it’s a lawyer advocating for environmental policies, an HVAC technician promoting climate friendly home upgrades, or anything in between, there’s space for every passion and every person who cares about climate change to make a difference. Climate action can also be voting for politicians and County Commissioners who care about climate policies or helping with environmental campaigns. It’s also everyday actions that can fit into our lives such as switching to LED lights, buying fewer unnecessary things, or even the exercise of writing a letter to a future generation about our current climate actions. Climate action will look different for everyone, but there are so many things we all can do to help mitigate climate change.
We cannot afford to wait. The climate crisis is here, and the window for action is closing. Young people are ready to fight for the future we deserve, but we need everyone to join us. The consequences of inaction are too big to ignore. We are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are leading today. If you really care about the youth perspective, and our futures, then listen to us and stop burning dirty fossil fuels. It’s better to listen and act now than to watch the impacts worsen later and know you did nothing to stop it. Act against climate change as if your life depends on it—because for youth and future generations, it does.
We hope you are inspired by the work ICL is doing to combat climate change in Idaho and uplift the voices of youth advocates. Please join us! Your financial support can make a real difference in the fight for clean and renewable energy, and can help ensure a climate resilient future for generations to come. Become a member today!