We are the future generation. The generation that is responsible for solving inequality in all forms; the generation responsible for correcting the past times, and inevitably responsible for alleviating the effects of climate change. 

Climate change is only going to progress, and so are we. According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), various computer models shows that the Earth’s  temperature could rise between 3.2-7.2 degrees Fahrenheit if we don’t make an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As we grow older and into our perspective fields, we should be thinking about how we can use our careers to benefit our society and our environment. It would be a disservice to the planet we call home to not do so. 

Why wait for the future when our future is now? Our social media platforms are constantly flooded with awareness towards keeping a healthy environment. The New York Times (NYT) reports that the Amazon rainforest, located on the South American continent, totalled in over 26,000 forest fires over this past month. Climate Scientist Carlos Nobre of the University of Sao Paolo tells the Associated Press (AP) that “the Amazon absorbs 2 billion tons of CO2 per year (or 5% of annual emissions), making it a vital part of preventing climate change.”

We retweeted, reposted, and urged our leaders to take action to control these fires from happening. In response, world leaders convened at the G7 conference in France to tackle issues such as climate change, pledging in a combined effort of over $22 million to assist Brazil with environmental efforts to help with the fires, according to the NYT. Our generation can do more – not just by using metal straws, reusable bags, or biodegradable products – we need to continue exercising our rights, our voices and to stay informed about how to take care of nature. Living in Hawai’i, we experience the beauty of Earth’s finest creations, and we should be one of the first to take that step towards becoming eco-friendly. 

As Moanalua High School students, how can we become involved and aware? Senior  Cayla Pabo has started Terra (latin for earth) Club, open to all Moanalua High students that meet up every first Monday of the month to discuss environmental issues. 

“We wanted to focus more on educating people about how our actions impact the environment, rather than doing numerous service projects – we really wanted to educate people and tell them how they can help and how their actions can help the environment,” Pabo said.

On Friday, September 20th, there will be a youth-lead climate strike protest from 4:00-6:00 p.m. that marches from the Governor’s Mansion down to City Hall. The strike is lead by Waipahu High School Senior Kawika Pegram, Hawai’i state Lead Organizer of the national organization U.S. Youth Climate Strike. The strike hopes to focus our leader’s eyes towards the global efforts at the UN Summit on climate change. 

“Younger people are generally known as people who are not civically-engaged. The reason why these protests are so critical to our generation is that it’s forcing us to get involved with politics and government – not because its fun [or] interesting, but because the decisions that our leaders make will directly affect our survival,” Pegram says. 

For more information on our schools terra club and the youth climate strike, check out their instagram pages @mohs_clubterra and @climatestrikehi. 

Resources Used: 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/world/americas/brazil-amazon-aid.html

https://www.apnews.com/384fdb5ee7654667b53ddb49efce8023

https://scied.ucar.edu/shortcontent/why-climate-changing-today