Measures must now be taken against climate change. That is the opinion of many young people in the Netherlands and many nations across the world, according to the Young People 2007 study by research agency Qruis.
Every two years, the agency investigates what lives among young people between the ages of six and 28. This year the environment is one of the most important topics among young people. For example, 85 percent of respondents between the ages of 12 and 29 think that the current government does too little for the climate. According to the young people, the Netherlands should switch to clean energy, such as solar energy and wind energy, on a large scale. Paul Sikkema, research director of Qruis, finds these concerns about the environment logical and dedicates it to publicity about the subject.
“Many schools have shown the Al Gore film and the subject has also become popular in pop music lately.”
An Inconvenient Truth (2006) Official Trailer #1 – Al Gore Movie
Young people are particularly concerned about the possible effects of climate change. What they find most frightening is the flooding becoming uninhabitable and the disappearance of the winters and the rise of very hot summers. The extinction of animals is also seen as a serious consequence of climate change. The polar bear is especially popular, 98 percent of the young people would really like to save the animal’s extinction. What is striking is that of the group that is concerned, only 26 percent think that people should change their lifestyle radically, for example by driving less and more walking.
While it is good to know that the youth are concerned about climate change, that more youth diverts their attention from the regular video games and searching for hacks and guides from sites like rok guide, there is more action needed from the youth. While there are quite a number of them taking action, more hands are still needed from every individual regardless of age.