Because youth have the most to lose from climate change and the most to gain from climate action, they deserve to have a leadership role.
By Brady Fergusson (RPCV Kiribati 2006–08)
One shared value across the divides we see today is the desire to improve the world for future generations. However, climate change puts our ability to achieve this goal at severe risk. The impacts of climate change are an intergenerational injustice because if we do not solve this existential challenge, the youngest people who have contributed least to the problem will be the most negatively impacted.
My experience serving in the Peace Corps in Kiribati helped me understand why climate change is referred to as an “existential threat.” The islands of Kiribati are only a few feet above sea level, so the rising ocean caused by climate change threatens the very existence of this nation. My connection with the people in Kiribati, who were so kind, friendly, and welcoming, has strongly motivated me to become involved in action to protect this beautiful place and the environment for us all.
My Peace Corps experience also taught me the value of working with youth. As a Health and Community Development Volunteer, youth development was a key component of my work. When I worked with community leaders to co-facilitate a Life Skills Workshop for youth from all the villages on our island, we empowered these young people to be leaders in their communities so they could drive positive change.
I have similarly found that empowering youth to lead action on climate change will be a key driver of success. Because youth have the most to lose from climate change and the most to gain from climate action, they deserve to have a leadership role. That doesn’t mean that older generations should sit back and watch – we contributed more to the problem, so we should take responsibility for solving it. What will work best is to work together – intergenerational environmental action!
Intergenerational collaboration on environmental action has already proven effective. The older volunteers of Third Act have partnered with the younger volunteers of Sunrise across the country. Our RPCVs for Environmental Action group has multiple generations on our leadership team who collectively move our efforts forward. In my work with the Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, we formed a committee of high school students, college students, middle-aged adults, and retirees to organize successful climate marches in Rochester.
This Earth Day (April 22), look for a way to connect with a member of another generation on taking action to care for our planet and the people who live on it. You will find it worth your while!
Looking to get involved? Connect with our affiliate RPCVs for Environmental Action here.
Pictures: Abaiang (Kiribati) Youth Life Skills Workshop Participants in 2008 and Rochester (New York) Climate March Organizing Team in 2023