Blaming the Old: Generation Z and Climate Change
Generation Z, the militant members born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, have long pointed fingers at the older generation for climate change. According to them, it’s the selfish, entitled, and ignorant Baby Boomers who are to blame. This sentiment was echoed by prominent young climate activists like Greta Thunberg and Billie Eilish, who accused older generations of letting down the youth.
However, a recent poll by YouGov challenges this narrative. The poll revealed that the older generation, those aged over 65, are actually doing more to tackle climate change than the young. While those aged 18-24 claimed to be the most worried about climate change, the over-65s were the ones taking action. Almost 90 percent of them said they recycled “as much as possible,” compared to only half of the young respondents. The older generation also showed more environmentally conscious behaviors such as saving water, buying locally produced food, and using energy-efficient appliances. They were even more likely to cut down on flights.
Greta’s generation, on the other hand, were more likely to have given up meat but seemed to lag behind in other areas. This discrepancy raises questions about whether the younger generation is simply in despair about the future or if they care more about appearing virtuous than actually making a difference.
Speculations aside, it’s interesting to note that many climate change protests, such as the Just Stop Oil protests, are dominated by pensioners. This may explain why the government is keen to get older people back into work, not to boost the economy, but to prevent them from causing disruptions.
Why Tories Should Embrace Defeat
While many Tory members may feel despondent about the near certainty of a Labour election win, there are reasons to look on the bright side. Winning elections may be nice, but running the country is a relentless misery. Eventually, everyone despises the ruling party and blames them for everything that goes wrong.
Being in opposition, however, is much more enjoyable. Tories can delight in watching their political enemies take the blame for every problem while smugly lecturing them on their mistakes and ineptitude. A report by the Institute for Government predicts that public services under a Labour government, if they stick to their current spending plans, would not see substantial improvements. This will provide an opportunity for Tories to revel in Labour’s failures regarding the NHS, schools, and other public services after years of their grandstanding and finger-wagging.
The only downside is that eventually, voters may forget their disdain for Labour and start seeing the Tories in a more positive light. This could result in the Tories being forced to run the country once again.
In conclusion, while Generation Z may blame the older generation for climate change, the reality is that the older generation is taking more action to address the issue. As for the Tories, they should embrace defeat and relish the opportunity to watch their political rivals face scrutiny and criticism. Running the country may not be as glamorous as it seems.
