A New Generation Takes Up the Call

A New Generation Takes up the Call

Carl Mackensen

In January 2003, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was born.  This same month and year, I was nearly 20 and started a Natural Resource and Environmental Economics class during the Spring of my sophomore year of undergrad.  This was my first introduction to the topic, and proved extremely formative.  I have, since then, completed three Masters dealing with energy and the environment, and worked in different capacities on this issue.  In Fall of 2021 I started a PhD in Public Policy and Public Administration, with a focus on Science and Technology Policy, to continue my studies.  For someone who has devoted virtually all of their academic and professional life to the issue, or developing skills that would prove fruitful to working on it, the Climate Action March, Protest, Rally, or whatever you'd like to call it, of September 20th, 2019, is particularly moving.  

We met at Foley Square in Manhattan.  The action was planned to start at 12 pm, and I thought I’d be clever and get there early, by 11:30 am.  Once I stepped out of the subway and into the pleasantly though alarmingly warm fall air of Lower Manhattan, however, my hopes were dashed.  There were people everywhere.  Old people, young people, people in between.  People holding signs, or babies, or both.  People of all colors and creeds.  It reminded me of when I went to the inauguration of Obama on that cold day in January, 2009.  There was the same vital energy, of youth, and hope, and the belief that things can actually change, if we simply will it hard enough and make our voices heard.  I am reminded of a quote my mother’s mother would say frequently to her, back in Germany, where my ancestors are from.  ‘Die Sterne Reisst vom Himmel, das kleine wort ‘Ich Will.’’  Roughly translated, it means ‘The stars can be brought down from the heavens, with the little words ‘I wish it.’’

Wishing for change seems to be in the air.  To see so many diverse people uniting behind the theme and issue, and demanding immediate action from our leaders, was truly moving.  We stood in Foley Square together, some with signs saying that plastic straws were bad for the planet, others advocating a complete revolution, and dissolution of the governing economic and political structure.  We all were there because we believed in something, and that something could be done.

Then we marched.  We marched from Foley Square down Broadway, one of the oldest streets in the country.  We marched past City Hall, where the City’s powers work, and Zuccotti Park, where the Occupy Movement started seemingly so long ago.  We marched past Wall Street, where international capitalism is based, and Federal Hall, where Washington was sworn in as our first President.  We marched past Trinity Church, where Hamilton is buried, and the World Trade Center, now revitalized and part memorial, part commerce hub.  We marched past the charging bull statue, that grandiose symbol of NYC specifically and America generally, and we marched to Battery Park, the oldest part of what was once New Amsterdam, looking out upon the harbor with the Statue of Liberty lighting the way for all those who seek a place to make a better life for themselves, and their families.

Those aware of the issue have been sounding the alarm for years, seemingly falling on deaf ears, as things seemed to get worse and worse, the issue more and more intractable.  The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report has said, "It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century."  Climate models from this report indicate that the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 0.3 degrees C to 1.7 degrees celsius, and perhaps as much as 2.6 to 4.8 degrees celsius. Global warming causes rising sea levels, changes in precipitation and extreme weather such as flooding, droughts, and wildfires.

Friday marked the participation of not just the youth, who will be most affected, but people of all backgrounds, in civil society action.  It seems as though the world has reached a true tipping point in terms of awareness of and desire to act on this issue, and that young Greta is the spark that ignited a thousand fires around the world.  For those of us who have been working on the issue, we of course welcome this enthusiasm.  That there is passion around the world, particularly among the youth, is undeniable, and as this new generation leads the way in both enthusiasm and willingness to effect change, I only hope that this growing movement can be sustained beyond immediate politicians' capitalizing on it, and truly make a difference.

To learn more about this movement or future involvement, check out the links below to Greta Thunderberg's website and social media:

Greta’s org:

https://www.fridaysforfuture.org/

Greta on Twitter:

@GretaThunberg

Fridays for Future on Twitter:

@FridayforFuture

References:

[1] “Global Warming.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 29, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming.

[2] “IPCC.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 28, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change.

[3] “IPCC.” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The United Nations, September 30, 2019. https://www.ipcc.ch/

[4] “Schools strike for the climate.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 29, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_strike_for_the_climate. 

[5] “Fridays for Future.” Fridays for Future. Fridays for Future Org, September 30, 2019. 

https://www.fridaysforfuture.org/

[6] “Greta Thunberg.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 29, 2019.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_Thunberg.