In light of the recent protests last friday, and the annual UN Climate Action Summit’s attention on social media, it’s clear people want proggressive action attacking climate change  

Climate change has been an issue since the 1830’s, according to Carbon Brief. More recently, however, there has been an acute awareness that the impacts of climate change will soon be affecting the youth of the world. 

In response to this revelation of impending doom, the UN created a youth summit to come up with ideas of how to reverse some effects of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The UN said the purpose of their youth summit was to “bring together young activists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who are committed to combating climate change at the pace and scale needed to meet the challenge.” 

The UN’s “ActNow” campaign aims to trigger individual action on climate change. “People around the world will be engaged to make a difference in all facets of their lives, from the food they eat to the clothes they wear.”

Although the UN is loud, the interesting people who are engaging in the discussion on Climate Change are younger than they should be.

Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, went viral when she chastised world leaders at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York on Monday. She angrily declared “You have stolen my childhood and my dreams with your empty words.” Thunberg has been shared across all social media platforms, and has caused a stir because of the blame she is placing on the adults in charge.   

She calls politicians out saying, “The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you.” PBS News reported that Thunberg “and other youth activists led international climate strikes on Friday in an attempt to garner awareness ahead of the UN’s meeting of political and business leaders.”

The marches, that are currently still happening all over the world, as well as the media’s attention on Thunberg’s speech, have forced the world to listen and learn. We are now worried about our precious futures, and have started to panic at the threat of our world’s demise.

Natural disasters are terrifying, more terrifying than our current President, or midterms. Students from all over the world are choosing to ignore the age gap, and get involved in politics.

Rebecca Connolly, a sophomore at the University of Puget Sound, attended a Climate strike in Tacoma, Wash. on Sept. 20. Conolly shared her thoughts on her passion for Climate Change. 

“It’s something that we are all affected by, and as a voting citizen, you need to pick and choose the things that are important to you,” she said. “I love protesting and seeing the youth movement.” 

Connolly also touched on an important note.

“We’re building this world for kids that can’t even live it, and the kids understand, and are worried about the future,”  Connolly said.

The fact that children are involved in the conversation about climate change is wonderful, but also depressing. Kids shouldn’t have to worry if  they will have the resources to live in the future, let alone if natural disasters will wipe us out in 30 years time. 

Connolly reminded me of something that I think the whole world could stand to remember. 

“We have the power to vote for politicians who care about the environment,” she said. 

Our voice is in our vote. 

Climate change is a global problem. We can help fight it by educating ourselves. Knowledge is power. If we know what we want, and know how to help, we can make it happen. 

For next steps, you can sign petitions, see current breaking news, and learn about next steps on the Global Climate Strike website