Gen Z and Millennials talk a good game on Doing Something about ‘climate change’, especially as climate cult groups enlist their help in lawsuits and such. I’m guess it’s more popular in theory than practice for their own lives
Opinion: Young Americans don’t want radical change on climate issues. They want balance
For those in environmental advocacy, it’s hard to understand why everyday Americans aren’t champing at the bit for climate action. Yet climate consistently ranks lower than Americans’ other priorities ahead of elections. Why? Mainstream environmental messaging.
According to Gallup, issues like COVID-19, poor leadership and even economic issues such as inflation rank much higher than the environment in 2022. Talk of radical change and government restructuring all in the name of climate change simply doesn’t resonate with the American people even if they are concerned about climate change and its associated effects. Instead, we want balance.
If the mainstream messaging discusses the notion that we’re all doomed, that the Earth will die unless we all accept that we need to give up our money, freedom, and life choices to government, well, yeah, it’s pretty bad.
As I’ve written before, climate solutions must be profitable in order to be embraced. Of course, we should prioritize environmental protection and real action on climate, but it’s unrealistic for mainstream environmentalists to think they will garner more support from Americans by telling them the only way to address climate change is to upend their way of life. Efforts to ban natural gas outright and suggestions that coal workers can simply learn to build solar panels are not examples of consensus-building.
Ya think?
Recent polling done by my organization, the American Conservation Coalition, demonstrates that a majority (52%) of Americans ages 18-30 believe “A balance can be struck between protecting the environment and growing the economy at the same time.” Embracing this sentiment, rather than sending the message that climate requires requires huge government policies or bust, is the right way forward in gaining more support for commonsense climate action.
Yeah, they do not want their own lives drastically changed. Go figure.
Read: Poll: Youngsters Aren’t Real Enthused For Radical Change To Solve Climate Crisis (scam) »