Fay Holland is policy and research executive at Groundwork UK
Young people care about the environment – let’s give them the support they need to take action in their local communities and have their say on the big decisions we need to make to create a greener society.
In November, Groundwork published a new research report, Youth in a Changing Climate, exploring young people’s perceptions of climate change and the environment, the support they want to get involved, and what they want from a greener future. The report was based on focus groups and a survey of around 500 16- to 25-year-olds from around the UK.
From all our conversations, it was clear that young people do not need convincing about the threat posed by climate change. In total, 92 per cent said the issue was important to them personally. This did not mean that it was the most important issue – for some, things like finding work and mental health were higher priorities – but there was strong agreement on the need to take collective action to protect the environment.
However, young people are less confident in their knowledge about climate change; 66 per cent told us that they didn’t learn enough about climate change at school, with documentaries and social media more likely to be their key sources of information. Some young people told us that they did not learn enough about the social and political changes that would be needed to address climate change.
Enthusiastic volunteers
Finding information about local environmental projects can prove challenging for some young people. We heard from enthusiastic potential volunteers who simply did not know where to look to find out what was being done by community groups or public bodies in their area. Similarly, there was a significant appetite for exploring green job options but less clarity about where to look for these opportunities.
There was a widespread feeling that young voices are not being heard on climate issues. Less than one in five of the young people we surveyed agreed that their generation is listened to when decisions about climate change and the environment are made. We heard from participants in the School Strikes for Climate who were disappointed that the energy they had shown through protests had not been matched by action from those in power. They wanted to see clear routes for young people to influence the decisions being made about their future – locally, nationally and internationally.
Conversations about climate change often focus on the negative impact it could have on the environment and on children’s futures, which can lead to eco-anxiety and a feeling of hopelessness. We wanted to create space for young people to imagine positive, low carbon futures. We asked what changes they would like to see in their local community as it seeks to become more environmentally friendly.
Some of the popular changes included more sources of renewable energy – for example, one young person remarked that, although they are often thought of as an eyesore, wind turbines look cool – options to buy sustainable products, better-insulated homes, more green spaces in towns and cities, and better infrastructure for public transport, walking and cycling.
Many of these things were popular not only for their environmental benefits but because they would improve the quality of life for children and young people. For example, we know that there are stark inequalities in access to nature, with people living in deprived areas and from some demographic groups less likely to live near parks and green spaces and more likely to experience barriers preventing them from using them if they do.
Several of the young people we spoke to were very ready to make a link between tackling climate change and social justice. The environmental benefits of reducing food waste, for example, could be linked to reducing the number of children and families experiencing food poverty. Insulating homes reduces carbon emissions but also helps us all to stay warm and well through the winter. Better public transport frees young people from being reliant on lifts from their parents, giving them greater independence as well as reducing air pollution and carbon emissions.
The government has made much of its ambition to “level up” communities and reduce regional inequalities. The findings of this report show that young people’s aspirations for a greener future should be at the heart of these efforts.
Implications for practice
The findings of this research highlight challenges for different sectors. Environmental organisations like Groundwork need to do more to provide supported routes for young people to get involved in decision-making, volunteering, and the workforce. The youth sector can play an important role too, by empowering the young people they work with to take advantage of these opportunities and make their voices heard.
Groundwork is joining the calls for a Wellbeing of Future Generations Act for the whole of the UK, building on the model in place in Wales. This legislation would require all public bodies to consider the long-term interests of children and young people in every decision they make, paving the way for more sustainable, youth-friendly communities.
We also want to see greater investment in youth work, to equip young people with the skills and confidence to get involved in environmental action in their local communities in whatever ways they choose. We know all too well the transformational effect that youth work can have on young lives, but the well-documented challenges the sector has faced over the last decade mean that not every young person is able to access this support.
A healthy environment is essential to ensuring that today’s children and young people can live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. They are the key stakeholders in every decision we make on the pathway to a low carbon society. This research emphasises that we need to do more to ensure that they can shape those decisions and build positive, greener futures for their local communities.
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Youth in a Changing Climate from www.groundwork.org.uk/youth-in-a-changing-climate
Read more in CYP Now's special report on sustainable services
