Climate change denial is an ever-growing problem in modern society. As more focus is put upon the crisis of global warming and its significant repercussive effects around the world, the echo chamber of scepticism and ignorance grows.

What do young people think about climate change?

I interviewed different teenagers to collect a consensus of opinions centred around this now controversial topic. For many it was a no-brainer: climate change is real and we need to take action against it. For some, it was a topic of frustration, Maryam Ahmed, aged 15, said “The entire situation makes me annoyed, the people in power aren’t doing enough in my opinion. Climate change will affect the younger generations more, but we can’t do a lot about it.”

With the start of the new decade more and more concerns are being raised around the topic. Australia’s wildfires, the rising global temperature and young individuals such as Greta Thunberg are all symbols of the problem society has ignored for too long. For the new decade, more companies are being pushed to operate in an eco-friendlier manner as more consumers acknowledge the unsustainable methods corporations have operated under.

Despite this push, it remains to be seen if the biggest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions will make a change for the future of the planet. As individuals, we can still make a difference as a collective group. Not consuming meat for a day, picking up litter and avoiding non-eco-friendly companies will make a huge impact for our futures. Spreading awareness of the effects of climate change will be vital in making a difference for all.

Neharika Limbu