We ignore the climate-change catastrophe at our peril
OPINION : Far too often climate change is seen as a generational issue the Baby Boomers got us into this mess and Gen Z will get us out of it. Although this rhetoric isn't wrong, it also couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, previous generations overused and underestimated the effect of fossil fuels, but they didn't know what they were doing. They were simply using the most convenient and cheap option at that point in time. And yes, Gen Z has realised the cost of this, but we alone can't fix this damage. We will need everyone from all walks of life to demand better from our decision-makers. Our governments only move as fast as the people do, and even then they tend to lag. READ MORE: * Kids, don't let climate grief stop you looking forward to the future * Are councils walking the talk with the 'climate emergency'? * Climate change plan aims to make Christchurch carbon neutral ahead of 2050 target So if we want our decision-makers to prioritise climate change, then we must tell our siblings, parents, friends, grandparents and children this is something they should care about, and why, whether that's a more sustainable future for themselves or a safe world for their children. Because as much as the younger generation cares about this issue, we actually need all adults to share our fear and hope for the future, because, honestly, a lot of politicians don't really care what young people have to say. They think young people are too idealistic, that they don't know what the real world is like, that they are too susceptible to the words of others and they are regurgitating nonsense they have seen online. And they can get away with this because young people can't leave their job hanging in the balance, they can't decide whether they get a rise in power or pay. So that's where adults come in. You can vote for us. Yes, young people still have power, but it is a lot less than our adult counterparts. As much as this issue is compared to the nuclear-free issue, heightened by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying: "Climate change is the nuclear-free issue of my generation," I think in some sense this is correct and should help older folk understand where us young people are coming from. New Zealand became nuclear-free almost solely because that's what the majority of the public wanted. We need to do this again with climate change. The reasons behind the change were similar as well. People were scared and if a war were to break out, the end of civilisation was highly likely. The people drove the legislation then and we can do it again. If you're feeling like you don't know where to start, fair game, climate change is an extremely complex issue. But I encourage all those who even remotely care about the future of our planet to make a submission on the Zero Carbon Bill at the select committee stage in Parliament. This legalisation will act as a guide as New Zealand transitions to a sustainable future and economy. A just transition will not only save our planet, but will give us a greater capacity to solve other social issues along the way. The climate is changing and we must do the same. Rachael Stone, 16, is the Manawatu School Strike for Climate organiser and a St Peter's College student in Palmerston North