Being a Serious Generation

Every so often, I will share some of my dialogue between my classmates. It’s better to get a third perspective from my audience than to rely on who typed the last period.

A classmate had asked, “Do you think society takes environmental matters seriously?” So, here is the argument behind their question. If society actually cared enough about the environment, there wouldn’t be so many challenges to get all the players to agree on at least moving towards the use of renewables and the application of sustainability.

My response:
“I would say that society and the current generations may not take the environmental matters seriously (or at least at levels necessary to make a drastic difference). Fortunately, as long as education exists, we have the opportunity to pass down knowledge to generations that may have no choice but to make a difference.”

I compared this thought to the baby boomer’s adoption of the Internet. When the concept first became mainstream, many of the boomers remained tied to traditional means of communication. A generation down were those that were able to say, “Ok, I can see how this can help,” while the youngest generation was born in to the idea and couldn’t imagine life without it. With the goal of a sustainable world, I believe the same applies. We have the generation that knows nothing but a fossil fuel life, the generation down (where you may possibly fit) is accepting of the idea and willing to change, while the future generations, if educated correctly, should grow up in an environment where sustainable practices are the norm.   As for the statement, "to generations that may have no choice but to make a difference", let's hope that they do not adopt an environment where resources have reached critical levels leaving limited choices.

Here’s a reassuring thought about where you are at this very moment. Continue your studies knowing that you could very well be the generation that makes the difference.

~Michael