If climate change were an animal or plant,
I think it would be some sort of parasite,
because it’s the only thing
that’s actually growing and getting bigger,
while everything else starts dying off.
The environment is definitely very special
because if we get rid of it, there’s nowhere else we can go.
It’s a very one in a million planet.
A 10-year-old some years ago got cross with me
and said, “You don’t get it.”
He said, “You grew up thinking that polar bears would be there forever.”
He said, “I’ve grown up knowing they will go extinct.”
I don’t remember when I first became aware
about climate change. I don’t remember a time where I didn’t know
what it was. It feels like it’s always been there.
Children are growing up with this knowledge
and this awareness, whereas anyone over the age of, let’s say 30,
is having to wake up to this and realise it.
When we asked young people about how climate change made me feel,
three-quarters or more, think the future is frightening.
So we know that it’s having an emotional impact on children
and young people all around the world.
I think climate change is really scary.
And the fact that lots of people aren’t doing much about it,
just sort of freaks me out.
Eight out of 10 told us
that people had failed to take care of the planet.
So this is young people and children looking to adults,
looking to older people, looking to people in power,
and saying, “Why haven’t you done something about this?”
It makes me feel angry to see such a clear issue
and to see everyone knowing about this issue,
and still not doing anything that they really should be.
It’s just frustrating.
And I think it’s also tiring to feel so scared and angry.
One of the worst things we can do to children
and young people is say, “Well, it’s your responsibility now.”
I’ve heard this said to children.
“Your generation will fix this.
Your generation is so inspiring and creative and innovative.
We’re going to leave this to you to fix.”
There is an idea by older people
that it is on young people to fix it.
But I think that’s really unfair,
and I think it’s a collective responsibility,
not just on young people and not just on me.
One of the most worrying statistics
was that 48% told us they were dismissed or ignored
when they tried to talk about climate change.
That, we could do something about this afternoon.
That, we could do something about today.
In places like school, I feel like they don’t really listen,
and don’t really respect the fact that I’ve thought about it
and tried to educate myself about it.
I kind of feel really angry and frustrated,
because I am actually saying something meaningful.
And if you’re not prepared to listen to your children,
it’s going to have a big effect, because we actually
do have something to say, and we are actually trying to make a change.
My advice to adults, parents, teachers, is
do not put it off, don’t push it away.
Don’t save it up and just have that big conversation.
Talk about it regularly. That’s crucial.
And it’s OK for you to say to your children,
“I don’t have all the answers.
We’re not sure exactly how to deal with all of this.
But let’s find out together.”
