Grey hair at climate change talks

By: Sophia Silverton

When I think of a demographic that should be most concerned about climate change and the future of Earth’s ecosystems, I picture youth. I would expect those attending university — students who are curious about world issues, aspiring problem-solvers and budding leaders — to be interested in addressing the current environmental crisis.

I suppose I set myself up for an unpleasant surprise during a Climate Change and Clean Growth town hall meeting in mid-September. The room was full to the brim, but a quick scan indicated that I was a minority. Out of the group I estimated the age breakdown to be: 60 percent seniors, 25 percent middle-aged, 10 percent children and 5 percent university-age students.

For some context, the town hall meeting was held in Dundas, close to McMaster campus, and its purpose was to collect the opinions of citizens on a green economy, innovation and how to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Ideas from the town hall were sent to the federal government to inform the creation of a new Liberal climate strategy. There were several passionate and well-informed presentations from elementary school kids, community members and McMaster professors. Meanwhile, maybe three undergrad students were in attendance. Where were all the McMaster students?

Perhaps the town hall meeting was intimidating and unfamiliar, or maybe students feel as though they have nothing to say or that their voices do not matter. Perhaps it was not well advertised beforehand, or those who were interested were too busy to make it. Another reason for such low attendance, a reason I would be disheartened to accept, is that most students do not care about environmental advocacy.

I attended the town hall because I want to live on a healthy and equitable planet and I enjoy being surrounded by others that care. I am also confident that there are plenty of students with valuable ideas and opinions who are not okay with how we disrespect our little blue and green ball in space. I just wish that more of us would take the sometimes daunting, and usually time-consuming, step towards being politically active community members.

Last fall, there was an outstanding student turnout to vote in the federal election. We were all interested in the prospect of change: new faces, new policies, Trudeau’s charm. It was glamorous to be informed and involved. Now that the election has passed, the hard work has begun and the act of engagement has lost some of its shine. It worries me how few students are interested in attending events like town halls, organized to inform the very policies we were so excited about during the election.

I may attribute this to the myopia of student life. We get stuck in the cycle of studying-assignment-midterm-repeat such that the concept of importance gets distorted. As students in a Canadian city, we are privileged and sheltered: for the most part, our homes aren’t disappearing underwater or being consumed by wildfire. We have access to secure sources of food, water and electricity. This privilege often makes it hard for me to see how our planet is in trouble.

So we need to do something difficult. It involves empathizing with those affected by climate change now, and it involves looking into the future where we will be affected. Our collective actions are important and impactful. And they need to happen now. Things come up, life gets hectic and sometimes I feel like lying in bed and watching Gilmore Girls all day. But we cannot keep making excuses. Yes, our classroom education and other commitments are important, but so is being present in the world we are studying. McMaster students need to step up and engage in the protection of this planet.