From glaciers melting in Antarctica to deforestation in the Amazon, our world’s wildlife not only works against natural selection but also the irreparable impact humans have caused through global warming.
As corporations deplete the food supply and destroy habitats, animals will continue to pay the price.
With 2035 quickly approaching, which scientists have deemed our last chance at reversing the effects of climate change, our generation continues not to do enough, even considering what is at stake: our future.
According to a survey by Blue Shield of California, 81% of Generation Z Americans (ages 14 to 24) believe our world leaders are not doing enough to combat the effects of global warming.
Despite the disparity between public approval rates and elected officials, practices like deforestation and reliance on fossil fuels have not significantly changed.
When it comes to climate change, there is no second chance, so it is imperative for our generation to not only utilize our First Amendment right but also practice what we preach in our ballots.
As it is widely understood, President of the United States Donald J. Trump has no sense of urgency towards this issue.
Trump’s views ridicule and diminish the very real negative impact climate change has and continues to have, like when he tweeted in 2012, “It’s freezing and snowing in New York—we need global warming.”
Given Trump’s recent re-election to office, it raises the question, “Why is there a disparity between what we want versus who we elect?”
Well, to be frank, the answer boils down to the following: we do not really know what we want because the costs of effective climate policies often come at a price too high for the average American.
Rocco Caruso ‘28 commented on this issue, saying, “I feel like today’s youth simply isn’t connecting their votes with their beliefs. Most young people think they have bigger problems and other priorities for their money. They forget that the longer we neglect our earth, the worse it will become.”
According to Yahoo Finance, in 2024, the average American salary was $63,795, barely enough to qualify for the middle class.
Enacting meaningful climate measures is expensive, and if most Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, expecting them to sacrifice personal desires to take sufficient action against global warming is simply unrealistic.
Estimates of the amount of money it would take to successfully reduce the impact of climate change range from $300 billion to $50 trillion.
After all, it is much easier to post about saving the planet on social media than to genuinely take meaningful action.
Although spreading the word online doesn’t necessarily harm anyone, it is a form of performative activism that draws attention from actual involvement.
When performative acts replace impactful contributions, many people feel uncertain about which movements are successful or even required, causing an even greater political divide.
When prompted about combating climate change, APES and AP Biology teacher Dr. Raechel Hill remarked, “Legislation and big, flashy actions are essential, but I see more small efforts, like Loyola and our reusable water bottles, making a difference. It’s the little things like this that count in caring for the planet.”
Although Dr. Hill’s statement mentions that even modest, everyday efforts can make a difference, we cannot neglect the need to incorporate systemic calls for accountability alongside these daily decisions to make genuine progress.
In truth, driving change is entirely through collaborative efforts and personal responsibility.
We cannot afford to ignore rising temperatures harming our planet.
In a time when climate change is perceived as a joke even by world leaders, it’s time to lead by example and transform awareness into action, both inside and outside of Loyola.