Good evening! This week's edition of the In Common newsletter comes from Kaitlin Dryburgh, policy and communication co-ordinator at Common Weal. To receive the newsletter direct to your inbox every week click here.
WHAT do young people really care about?
As the UK election looms with a Scottish election following it not too soon after, politicians will be trying their utmost to capture the young vote. The current narrative constantly tells us that the younger generation cares if not solely, very deeply about the environment, that this is of the utmost importance to them. But is this a misstep which is actually hindering solid green policy being implemented?
There is indeed some truth to this notion that environment remains high on the agenda for young people. In essence, how could it not? For many, they grew up with the terms “climate change”, “greenhouse gasses” and “climate crisis” integrated into everyday life.
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Climate anxiety is prevalent in younger generations such as millennials and Gen Zs and compared to the older generations they feel more guilt, fear and outrage towards the effects of the climate crisis. Which is a fair reaction considering they will be growing up in a world which has to deal with more climate disasters, climate displacement and go on to lead the world while trying to wrangle with policymakers to reduce carbon output.
For the youth of today, the climate crisis is their future and current actions mean that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, so for the most part they have no choice but to care.
Yet, that doesn’t mean it’s everything. It’s a false belief that the be all and end all of what young people care about is climate. Compared to the older generations, young people are navigating a very different world. Yes, that includes climate, but unfortunately that’s not where the problems end.
Nowadays, it takes a bit more than just cancelling your Netflix subscriptions and cutting out the occasional brunch to get on the property market, which is made harder by the fact real-time wages have decreased.
There’s a whole plethora of issues, including a creaking NHS and a lack of mental health care which is only perpetuated by an absence of quality work-life balance. This, of course, isn’t just affecting the youngest generation, but they do face a harder battle.
So, does that even give them a lot of time to consider the climate crisis? A YouGov poll tracking the most important issues facing people in the UK aged 18-24 puts the economy as the most important at 54% percent, health at 42%, housing at 36% and environment at 28%. Of course, the importance of these issues fluctuates and decreases depending on current events. However, the order has remained fairly consistent over the past year or so.
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What does that mean? Younger generations possibly have an ingrained awareness of climate issues and that will always be somewhat of a priority but there are still more pressing factors that are impacting on their day-to-day life. It’s not a make-or-break issue for young people so politicians shouldn’t treat it in such a way, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important.
Wouldn’t it be better if we started thinking of climate issues as an integrated problem? The constant need to have them as a standalone policy could actually be hindering our progress in this area – that approach does very little to explain the positive influence on people’s everyday life. We hear a lot about what we need to give up but it’s rare to gain an understanding of how climate policies can elevate our life. Although delivering a Green New Deal is imperative in our fight against the climate crisis, it isn’t the only option.
For young people, an integrated climate approach could provide a good solution. For example housing, an issue that is very important to young people. Why aren’t policymakers focusing on this and positioning a good quality housing policy as a climate solution also? Housing in general is in high demand but it’s also an industry with a high carbon output. A new housing policy to build more social and affordable housing which implements better practices and materials would cut our carbon output and provide further housing.
Furthermore, upgrading our housing standards to a Passivhaus-like standard would stop the heat leaks and excessive energy use that we’re forced to endure, and instead would produce well-insulated housing. By having fully insulated homes, there is less need for heating, reducing bills and household costs. Same goes with retrofitting.
The current state of affairs means that for most people – especially young people – this would be a costly exercise and take too long. Having an integrated housing and climate policy would make more sense.
Policymakers should stop trying to fall back on the notion that the climate crisis is the only concern of young people. Instead, try focusing on three issues that are actually affecting young people and deliver solid solutions that integrate climate as well.
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