Generation Now: The Fight For Climate Justice | TIME

Summary

The transcript highlights the urgent climate crisis and the pressing need for action, as voiced by a generation demanding change. Greta Thunberg and other young activists emphasize the immediacy of climate justice, questioning the effectiveness of current leadership. They stress the intergenerational impact, with youth experiencing the consequences of inaction. The script also underscores the global nature of the issue, including the disproportionate burden on less developed nations and the need for collective, transformative action.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Young activists like Greta Thunberg are demanding immediate action on climate change, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
• 🌱 The youth see climate change as an intergenerational justice issue, arguing that their future is being compromised by inaction.
• 🌍 There is a growing consensus among young people that the current environmental trajectory is unsustainable.
• 🔥 Real-world events, such as wildfires and extreme weather, are driving home the reality of climate change to younger generations.
• 🌿 The youth are reframing climate change as a moral and ethical issue, not just an environmental one.
• 🌡️ The scientific community is clear that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is crucial, but this requires unprecedented societal changes.
• 💼 Politicians are recognizing the influence of youth activists and some are beginning to integrate their demands into policy.
• 💭 There is skepticism among some about the severity of climate change, but the youth are challenging this by making it a personal issue.
• 🌱 The climate movement is global, with young people in various countries leading the charge for change.
• 💪 Youth activists are entering politics to ensure that their voices are heard and to push for the necessary policy changes.
• 🌐 The disparity between historical emissions and the impacts of climate change is highlighted, with a call for justice and support for the most vulnerable.

Q & A

What is one of the biggest challenges faced by Namrata Iyer's generation?

One of the biggest challenges is convincing previous generations about the importance of discussing their beliefs.

What does Greta Thunberg emphasize about the urgency of climate action?

Greta Thunberg stresses that young people cannot wait to become the ones in charge to address climate change because there is not enough time.

How does Timothée Chalamet view the role of youth in societal changes?

Timothée Chalamet believes that youth is not a disadvantage but a virtue, as it represents ethical and earnest expectations for the world.

What is Billie Eilish's concern regarding people's attitudes towards the environment?

Billie Eilish is concerned that people are selfish about the environment, prioritizing their personal experiences over the global impact and lifespan.

What does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez point out about the differences in the America experienced by different generations?

Ocasio-Cortez highlights that the America experienced by younger generations is significantly different from that of their parents or grandparents.

What does Nyke Slawik suggest is radicalizing a whole generation?

Nyke Slawik suggests that the lack of a future due to environmental issues is radicalizing a whole generation.

What does John Kerry believe is the key question regarding the net-zero carbon economy?

John Kerry believes the key question is whether we can achieve a net-zero carbon economy fast enough to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

What is the main message conveyed by the audience during Greta Thunberg's speech?

The audience's main message is a demand for climate justice, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.

How does Justin Worland describe the impact of the current generation on climate discussions?

Justin Worland describes the current generation as having reframed climate discussions to focus on intergenerational justice.

What does Jim Skea emphasize is the responsibility of governments in addressing climate change?

Jim Skea emphasizes that the scientific facts and evidence have been provided, and it is now up to governments to decide on the necessary actions.

What does Ciara Nugent suggest is the difficulty in dismissing young people's concerns about climate change?

Ciara Nugent suggests that it is harder to dismiss young people's concerns because they are part of their communities and families.

Outlines

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Keywords

💡Climate Justice

Climate justice refers to the concept that those who are least responsible for climate change—often marginalized communities and developing nations—should bear the least burden of its consequences. In the video, Greta Thunberg and others demand climate justice, emphasizing the urgency of addressing environmental issues for future generations. The script mentions 'Climate justice' as a rallying cry during protests, indicating the call for equitable action against climate change.

💡Intergenerational Justice

Intergenerational justice is the idea of promoting actions that ensure the well-being of both present and future generations. The video script discusses how the current generation's actions impact the planet's health, thereby affecting future generations' ability to live sustainably. This concept is highlighted by the script's mention of young people reframing climate change as an issue of intergenerational justice.

💡Youth Activism

Youth activism in the context of the video refers to the involvement of young people in political or social movements, particularly those focused on climate change. The script features Greta Thunberg and other young activists who are demanding action from adults and policymakers. The video emphasizes the power of youth to influence change, as seen in the global climate strikes inspired by Thunberg.

💡Climate Crisis

The climate crisis is a term used to describe the urgent and severe threats posed by climate change. The video script discusses the climate crisis as a central theme, with speakers expressing the need for immediate action to avoid its worst consequences. The IPCC report mentioned in the script is an example of the scientific consensus on the crisis.

💡Net Zero Carbon Economy

A net-zero carbon economy is one where the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is balanced by an equivalent amount of removal or offset. John Kerry's statement in the script about aiming for a net-zero carbon economy illustrates the goal of reducing emissions to combat climate change. The urgency of reaching this state quickly enough to avoid severe consequences is a recurring message in the video.

💡Environmental Selfishness

Environmental selfishness refers to behaviors or attitudes that prioritize short-term personal or local benefits over long-term global environmental health. Billie Eilish's comment in the script about people being selfish regarding the environment highlights this concept, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the planet for future generations.

💡Climate Refugees

Climate refugees are individuals displaced due to climate-related events such as rising sea levels, droughts, or extreme weather. The script mentions the potential for hundreds of millions of people to become climate refugees, illustrating the human cost of climate change and the need for global action to mitigate its impacts.

💡Climate Vulnerability

Climate vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of a region or group to the adverse effects of climate change. The video script discusses how certain countries and communities are more vulnerable to climate change's impacts, such as those in Africa, which have contributed less to global emissions but face severe consequences.

💡Political Radicalization

Political radicalization, as mentioned in the script, refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt extreme political, social, or environmental views. Nyke Slawik's statement about young people being radicalized due to the lack of a future underscores the desperation and urgency felt by the youth regarding climate inaction.

💡Sustainable Future

A sustainable future implies a world where environmental, social, and economic needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The script's repeated calls for a sustainable future highlight the desire for long-term solutions that balance development with environmental stewardship.

💡Climate Activism

Climate activism involves participation in movements or actions aimed at promoting climate policies or raising awareness about climate change. The video script features various activists, such as Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate, who are advocating for climate action. Their activism is portrayed as a response to the urgency and moral imperative of addressing climate change.

Highlights

Namrata Iyer emphasizes the challenge of convincing previous generations about the importance of discussing beliefs.

Greta Thunberg stresses the urgency of climate action, stating that waiting for the youth to be in charge is not an option.

Timothée Chalamet views youth as a virtue for its ethical expectations of the world.

Billie Eilish criticizes selfish attitudes towards the environment and lifespan.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez points out the differences between the America of today's youth and that of their parents or grandparents.

Nyke Slawik highlights the radicalization of a generation facing a lack of future due to climate change.

John Kerry expresses confidence in achieving a net-zero carbon economy but questions the speed of progress.

The audience at a climate event, led by Greta Thunberg, demands climate justice now.

Justin Worland discusses how the current generation has reframed climate change as an issue of intergenerational justice.

Jim Skea emphasizes that the scientific facts about climate change have been presented, and it's now up to governments to act.

Ciara Nugent notes the difficulty of dismissing the concerns of young people about climate change.

Nyke Slawik calls for politicians who will implement policies to address climate change.

Charlotte Alter explains how young voters are forming political attitudes in response to climate catastrophes.

Christian Hidalgo shares his personal experience with wildfires and the impact on his climate activism.

Isabella Guariniello describes her first climate strike and the emotional impact of learning about climate change.

Sassy Fernandez recalls being inspired by Al Gore's documentary on climate change in elementary school.

Greta Thunberg asserts that the youth will not be silenced and are the change that is coming.

Jane Goodall discusses the importance of hope for young people facing the climate crisis.

Vanessa Nakate addresses the lack of funding for climate-vulnerable countries.

Nyke Slawik, as a young politician, pushes for more aggressive climate policies in Germany.

Emmanuel Macron acknowledges the impact of the youth movement on his climate policy.

Jane Goodall stresses the importance of hope for young people to take action on climate change.

Transcripts

[Namrata Iyer]: I think some of the biggest challenges my generation faces is convincing

the previous generations about why it's important to talk about what we believe in.

[Greta Thunberg]: We can't choose between us young people saying to adults you must

behave but we can't wait for us to become the ones in charge because we don't have time

for that.

[Timothée Chalamet]: Your youth does not have to work against you by way of experience,

your youth can be a virtue by way of what you ethically and earnestly expect of the

world.

[Billie Eilish]: People can be so selfish about the environment and their experience

versus the globe and literally our lifespan.

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]: The America we grew up in is like nothing like the America

our parents or grandparents grew up in.

[Nyke Slawik]: When you have young people who are confronted with not having a future

at all of course this is going to radicalize a whole generation.

This is a question of survival basically.

[John Kerry]: I don't doubt that we will get to a net zero carbon economy.

Will we get there fast enough to heed the science and avoid the worst consequences?

That's the battle.

That's what we're trying to do with Glasgow.

[Thunberg]: What do we want?

[Audience]: Climate justice.

[Thunberg]: When do we want it?

[Audience]: Now.

[Thunberg]: What do we want?

[Audience]: Climate justice.

[Thunberg]: When do we want it?

[Audience]: Now.

[Thunberg]: Thank you.

[Justin Worland]: This generation has reframed the way we talk and think about climate to

make it an issue of intergenerational justice.

The question is will this anger turn into action?

Will leaders who have been listening actually take the message to heart and do something

about it?

[Kerry]: Our diplomacy is guided by what the scientists are telling us we must achieve.

Three years ago they had a report in 2018 the IPCC gave us 12 years within which to

make the critical decisions to avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis.

[Hoesung Lee]: Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees is not impossible but will require unprecedented

transitions in all aspects of society.

[Worland]: It was alarming in its the seriousness with which it portrayed the consequences of

climate change.

We're talking about hundreds of millions of people migrating.

We're talking about the possibility of countries disappearing in their entirety.

We're talking about a world that is totally transformed.

Already 85 percent of the world's population has been affected by human-caused climate

change.

[Jim Skea]: The message is over to governments at this stage.

We've told you what you—the scientific facts, the evidence, the costs.

It is up to the governments now to decide what to do with it.

[Ciara Nugent]: We've had loads and loads of reports about climate change over the last

couple of decades and the massive threat to our planet but despite all of the science

there are still people who are skeptical about how much of a big deal it really is.

And I think for those people it's much harder to dismiss young people, normal school kids

because they're part of their communities, they're part of their families often.

[Nyke Slawik]: What we need is politicians who implement the policies in their home countries

and that's—that's what has not been happening in the last years.

And so now young people are saying why go to school?

Why go to university?

Why start planning a family? Why buy a house when I don't even know that in 50 years time

or 70 years time I will still have a future, because right now that's at stake.

[Ocasio-Cortez]: If we do nothing this is what's going to happen: sea levels are going rise,

crops are going to die out, there will be mass starvation.

There's going to be all of these things that are going to happen and kids see that,

they internalize it.

[Charlotte Alter]: Researchers have found that young voters form their lifelong political

attitudes in response to the events of their early adulthood, mostly late teens into the

late 20s.

And for millennials and gen z that period of time has been defined by climate catastrophe.

[Christian Hidalgo]: I'm from Bakersfield, California, central valley.

Earlier today I've been getting snapchats from all of my friends talking about how orange

the sky is because of the wildfire surrounding us.

The closest wildfire is probably not even 60 miles away but we have horrible air quality

like we're—I'm in the middle of the valley and it just it really strongly affects us

and that's what—that's what's drawn me to climate activism.

[Isabella Guariniello]: This is my first strike ever.

I watched a bunch of like sad penguin videos on YouTube and I started to get really sad

when I learned about the effects of animals and like how much earth that we're actually

losing.

It's hard not to get discouraged when you're constantly learning about what people before

you did wrong.

[Sassy Fernandez]: Like I remember being in elementary school and watching Al Gore's documentary

about climate change and the effects that we could be seeing within the next 10, 15

years and so far he's been pretty right about everything that he said in his documentary.

I totally forgot what it was called but shout outs to my science teacher.

[Thunberg]: We are being betrayed by those in power and they are failing us but we will

not back down.

And if you feel threatened by that then I have some very bad news for you.

We will not be silenced because we are the change and change is coming whether you like

it or not.

We need to work together intergenerational of course that is the only way and we need

to—everyone needs to participate and help out in the way we can.

So I'm doing what I can.

I'm trying to use my voice to spread awareness and to—to put pressure on those in power.

[Alter]: When TIME put Greta on the cover in 2019 she had just gone from being a school

girl protesting alone outside of Swedish parliament to being the leader of a global climate movement.

That year her activism inspired four million people to join the global climate strike in

2019 which was at that point the largest climate movement in world history.

[Worland]: Across the world with very few exceptions there are examples of people who

have been inspired by her and have led—who've taken up the mantle the Fridays for Future

movement in countries across the world.

[Thunberg]: I'm not a leader or the face of the climate movement, I'm just one of many

faces.

[Vanessa Nakate]: There are far too little evidence of the 100 billion dollars per year

that was promised to help climate vulnerable countries to meet these challenges.

In fact, those funds were promised to arrive by 2020 and we are still waiting.

[Nugent]: Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan climate activist, is one of many people who have been

working to remind us that climate action is going to be expensive and many countries who

are most vulnerable to climate change can't afford to pay for it alone.

[Nakate]: Historically Africa is responsible for only three percent of global emissions

and yet some Africans are already suffering some of the worst and brutal impacts of climate

change, so to me climate justice doesn't just have to be about reducing greenhouse gas emissions

it goes beyond the primary disasters that we see.

It is what happens in the aftermath of those disasters, what happens to families, what

happens to individuals, what happens to communities.

[Worland]: You think about the fact that the U.S. has emitted a quarter of emissions historically.

Africa has emitted three percent of emissions historically and the U.S. is able to isolate

itself, to pay for adaptation, to pay for the costs in a way that developing countries

in sub-saharan Africa and across the globe just can't.

And so climate change is a justice issue on many different levels.

[Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala]: We we have to bear in mind that whether you're rich or poor,

a rich country or poor country, there are some things you just cannot do on your own.

You can't deliver on this pandemic on your own, you cannot deliver on climate change

on your own.

[Nakate]: So what we really want is a future that is healthy, that is sustainable, that

is clean, that is livable and equitable for all of us.

[Nugent]: Some of the activists that I speak to are realizing they can't wait for the older

generation to take action so they're trying to get elected to governments themselves.

In Germany, the Green Party has really been in the ascendancy.

In September they've almost doubled their number of seats in parliament and one of the

118 lawmakers they now have is Nyke Slawik.

She's a 27 year old German politician who was elected in September to the Bundestag

and she has been involved in climate activism for almost 12 years and now she has political

power to make a difference.

[Slawik]: The time of just implementing small changes has passed and this is a reality we

as younger politicians are bringing with us to the parliament now but of course there's

lots of older colleagues who have not quite grasped this yet, and I think this is why

we might be more determined to not go for the small compromises, to be a bit more rebellious

about these things.

The last German government has decided to exit coal in 2038 which is still too late

way too late but now we even have the chance to accelerate energy transition from coal

to renewables way quicker and that's a major achievement of the youth climate movement.

[Alter]: In the United States young voters across the political spectrum understand that

climate change is a major issue that needs to be addressed, they just disagree on how

best to do it.

So even younger Republicans, Republicans under 40, they understand that climate change is

happening, they understand that something has to be done about it, they just don't agree

with their more progressive peers about the scale and scope of what that intervention

needs to be.

So this is a big shift from a couple generations ago when you had one side insisting that climate

change was a problem and the other side basically denying that it was happening at all.

[Worland]: When TIME spoke to Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, he spoke about how

the youth movement had made him want to do better.

When I talked to the U.N. Secretary General he talked about how he was trying to bring

youth into the climate discussion because it had enthused him and he thought it would

help change the conversation.

Talking to members of Congress about how inspirational Greta was really made clear to me that she

was changing the conversation.

[Nugent]: In my reporting activists are telling me that COP 26 is a crucial moment to find

out if politicians are really listening to them and really taking action or if they're

just saying they're listening and delaying action.

[Nakate]: Leaders keep praising young people for standing up and protesting but saving

the world needs action, it needs decisions from the leaders, decisions that prioritize

the lives of the people and the planet, and that is not something that we are doing.

The words of the leaders are not matching up with their actions.

[Thunberg]: Words.

Words that sound great but so far has led to no action.

Our hopes and dreams drown in their empty words and promises.

Of course we need constructive dialogue but they've now had 30 years of blah blah blah

and where has that led us?

[Jane Goodall]: I'm about to leave the world and leave it behind me with all the mess whereas

young people have to grow up into it.

That's why they need every bit of help they can.

And if, you know, if they succumb to the doom and gloom ,which many have, then they lose

hope.

If you lose hope that's the end, because if you don't hope that there's a way out, if

you don't hope that your actions can make a difference then you sink into apathy and

do nothing.

So hope is absolutely crucial if we're to get through this.

[Singing]: We're going to strike because our waters are rising.

We're going to strike because our people are dying.

We're going to strike for life and everything we love.

We're going to strike for you, will you strike for us?

We're going to strike for you, will you strike for us?

We're going to strike because our waters are rising.

We're going to strike because our people are dying.

We're going to strike for life and everything we love.

We're going to strike for you, will you strike for us?

We're going to strike for you, will you strike for us?

Beautiful.