In 1990, when Sarah Barger Ranney was just 10 years old, she encountered a newspaper survey titled: “Kids, 12-16: Share your vision for the future.”

Among the questions was one asking: “What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the USA by the time you’re 40?” The options were nuclear conflict, homelessness, disease, environmental issues, drug abuse, racism, and crime.

Ranney, from Tacoma, Washington, marked “The environment” with a green felt-tip pen.

Although her mother, adhering to the rules, refrained from submitting the survey since Ranney was under the eligible age, she recently sent her daughter a clip of it, now that Ranney is 44.

In response to the question, “Who do you admire today and aspire to be like?” Ranney wrote down “An environmentalist.”

Now, she keeps a picture of that small torn paper on her phone as a reminder of her long-standing commitment to environmental issues, she mentioned.

Like many others, Ranney’s connection to environmental matters has evolved over the years as more knowledge about climate change has surfaced and its impacts have become increasingly apparent.

People often think that only younger individuals are concerned about climate change because they’re the ones who will live with its impacts the longest. This notion was propelled by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg when she began her advocacy as a teenager.

However, older generations, including those in their 80s, have also participated in protests from their rocking chairs on the streets of New York City, and many others, regardless of protest involvement, care about protecting the environment.

To gain insights into how different ages perceive climate activism, YSL News interviewed over 20 individuals ranging from 17 to 80 years old, representing both Gen Z and the Silent Generation.

From Ranney to an elderly farmer experiencing shifts in rainfall patterns to a teenager who likely won’t see the same snowfall his mother remembers, Americans of all ages share concerns about climate change.

Yet, their views on its causes, responses, and actions differ, often reflecting their political orientations.

Here’s a look at American attitudes toward climate change across generations:

Understanding the Middle Ground

Ray Gaesser, 72, identifies as a staunch conservative.

He has been farming soybeans and corn in southwest Iowa for nearly 50 years and has observed significant climate shifts during that time.

“I’ve noticed we can plant a week or two earlier than we could before,” he explained.

The weather has also become increasingly extreme, he noted. Instead of consistent rain spread over a week, he sometimes faces storms delivering 12 to 18 inches over just two to three weeks, which has led to flooding and serious issues for some of his neighbors.

However, he remains uncertain about the extent to which climate change is wholly caused by human actions.

“I think it’s partially human-driven— with 8 billion people, our activities will definitely have an impact,” he remarked. “But I can’t say if it’s entirely human-induced.”

In the United States, climate change is one of the most polarizing topics, even more so than abortion, according to Yale University’s climate communication program.

What separates people’s views on climate change is not merely age but primarily their political affiliations, as noted by program director Anthony Leiserowitz. In general, conservatives express less concern or may even doubt that global warming is driven by humans, while progressives tend to be much more uneasy about it.

During the 1980s, both Republicans and Democrats were concerned about global warming. President George H.W. Bush, a Republican, openly supported climate science throughout his campaign in that era.

Simultaneously, a well-documented initiative by fossil fuel companies and large corporations sought to undermine climate science, fostering skepticism and deepening the political divide, as shown in multiple investigations.

By 2022, this divide was stark; while 78% of those leaning Democratic viewed climate change as a significant threat, only 23% of those leaning Republican shared that sentiment.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate and a millennial at 39, started his remarks at a December GOP primary debate stating, Many Americans hold moderate views on climate change, similar to their stance on various political matters. Gaesser, who identifies as a conservative, also finds himself in this moderate space.

Gaesser does not engage in extreme debates, yelling, or attacking others’ viewpoints. Instead, he prefers to converse and collaborate with his neighbors on topics such as sustainable farming and renewable energy.

“We must take care of our land and environment, making the best use of the resources we have today,” he stated. “It’s about maximizing food production while minimizing resource use. This is my belief, and I think many share it.”

Defying Expectations

On a bright June morning, 25-year-old Benn McGregor walked across Citigroup’s global headquarters in Manhattan, filming a protest of mostly older adults seated in rocking chairs, rallying against banks’ involvement in fossil fuel endeavors.

With New York City police on high alert, the seniors displayed signs proclaiming “We’ve Reached the Boiling Point!” and chanted energetically as passersby and building staff attempted to enter. They also showed signs with images of their children and grandchildren, including one that read, “They deserve a future.”

When the protesters managed to block the entrance, police intervened, forcibly removing them from their chairs, handcuffing them, and escorting them to police vans.

The demonstrators from the Rocking Chair Rebellion are aware they may not be around to experience the most severe impacts of climate change. Yet, those who firmly believe in the rapid warming of the Earth feel a shared sense of urgency that bridges generations.

McGregor, a Gen Z activist from Toronto, shared his feelings of frustration at the circumstances inherited from older generations.

“We’re just kids, but we’re frustrated with the adults,” he remarked. “It feels like my generation is bearing the weight of these issues.”

Andy Platt, an 80-year-old protestor who came from Massachusetts, echoes this sentiment. He believes older generations must bear a “unique responsibility” to advocate for change and instill a “sense of urgency.”

“With grandkids to think about, I’m deeply concerned for their future,” he expressed. “We’ve run out of options, and we need to take significant actions. That’s why I’m here.”

For now, he intends to contribute his “energy, effort, and enthusiasm” to the cause.

Shifting Life Priorities

Research from the Pew Foundation indicates that the political divisions span generations, yet climate activism is increasingly prevalent, particularly among Gen Z and millennials, aged 12 to 43.

To those protesting, climate change isn’t an abstract debate; it represents a generational crisis.

Although the effects of climate change impact all age groups, younger individuals are making significant life choices influenced by the future. Some assume they will only use electric vehicles, while others adopt vegetarian or vegan diets for environmental reasons or refuse jobs that conflict with their climate principles.

Even personal family planning is impacted by climate perceptions.

“If conditions don’t improve, I’m hesitant about bringing a child into this world,” said 29-year-old Michelle Recinos Flores. “I desire a family but feel unsafe, and I worry about giving my child a future that’s better than what we have now.”

While working with AmeriCorps in 2018, she assisted victims of the disastrous Camp Fire that devastated the town of Paradise in California. Experts suggest climate change exacerbates the likelihood of such catastrophic fires. Experiencing the aftermath of the fire profoundly altered her worldview, making the climate crisis impossible to ignore.

“People lost their lives. That experience shook me to my core,” she reflected. “We can’t remain passive anymore; the climate crisis is upon us.”

Earlier this year, Recinos Flores relocated from North Carolina for a new role at Unidos MN in Minneapolis, where she advocates for immigrant communities to address climate change challenges. She has prioritized her values over financial gain, taking a job that pays half her previous salary.

However, she finds the experience “exhilarating” and “transformative.”

Engaging with Passion

For Ranney, channeling her environmental passion into action took some time.

She pursued a degree in geosciences and environmental studies during her college years, but afterward, life took over.

During her college senior year, the 9/11 attacks occurred, followed by the Great Recession in 2007. Ranney held a vice president position at a marketing firm, yet her environmental concerns never wavered.

“It was like a seed within me,” she shared. “In 2016, I realized I could no longer remain on the sidelines.”

She began volunteering for eco-friendly causes, and eight years later, she decided it was time to step up her involvement.

In April, Ranney made a significant decision by accepting a pay reduction to take on the role of director for the Sierra Club’s San Francisco Bay chapter. She discussed with her two sons, ages 10 and 12, how this change might affect their family.

“I thought, ‘If I don’t step up, no one else will,’” she shared.

Her sons responded positively. “They’ve grown up in a supportive environment, seeing me involved and a bit concerned,” she explained. “They took pride in my choice.”

Similarly, 26-year-old Tianna Shaw-Wakeman decided to pursue a career as a professional activist. She serves as the environmental justice coordinator for Black Women for Wellness, a Los Angeles organization focused on reproductive rights and environmental justice throughout California.

For her, addressing climate change goes beyond safeguarding our planet. It’s also about rectifying historical wrongs.

Experts point out that as the tangible impacts of climate change become more evident, it is clear that the most disadvantaged communities will experience the greatest effects.

A 2021 report from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that “the most severe consequences of climate change primarily affect underserved communities, who are least equipped to deal with and recover from issues like heat waves, poor air quality, flooding, and other challenges.”

The EPA’s report highlights that Black Americans are more likely to reside in regions prone to heat-related fatalities, and Latinos often work in industries exposed to extreme heat.

Raised in the South, Shaw-Wakeman, who is Black, expanded her understanding of the links between climate change and racism during her time in California.

“In my hometown, people associate racism with old Confederate statues or police violence. While those issues are significant, there are deeper matters as well, such as how roads have been constructed and the resultant loss of homes and wealth for Black families,” she reflected.

“We need to move away from the capitalist mindset that places environmental stresses on marginalized communities,” she emphasized.

Concerns for the future

The growing anxiety surrounding a looming disaster that may not improve in their lifetimes weighs heavily on younger generations. This emotional struggle has been termed “climate anxiety.” A 2021 survey by The Lancet found that over half of individuals aged 16 to 25 fear that humanity is on the brink of disaster.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the ten warmest years since records began 174 years ago have all happened since 2014, with 2023 now holding the record for the warmest year. Experts suggest that 2024 could be even hotter. This summer also set the record for the hottest day ever.

Austin Gordon, just 17, has witnessed climate change’s impact in Felton, Pennsylvania, his little hometown.

“It hardly ever snows now,” he noted. “My mom recalls days when they couldn’t even clear the driveway because of the snow. But that experience is foreign to my generation.”

Despite this, climate change isn’t a frequent topic of conversation among his peers or at his high school as he enters his senior year. He learns about it through the news or TikTok videos but notices the changes in his daily life directly.

He recalled a late September day when he stepped outside to check the temperature, which read 79 degrees.

“The leaves are falling because it’s fall, yet sometimes it feels like summer with temperatures in the 80s,” he commented.

While he has experienced hot years throughout high school, he is concerned about what lies ahead.

This summer broke heat records, and 2024 is expected to follow suit.

Gordon understands that future summers could be significantly hotter. “That thought is quite frightening,” he admitted.