Considering Intergenerational Justice

When people talk about human migration or the increasing rates of physical and mental illness or the death tolls from a wildfire, hurricane or flood, they’re talking about climate change. When we hear about deforestation or the loss of species or increasingly violent human-animal interactions, it’s a story about climate change. The loss of natural resources and diminishing human wellness are two sides of the same coin. That’s why the lack of meaningful action nationwide, particularly in the State of Indiana, to address the impacts of a long-predicted rise in global temperature and climate variability is so intriguing—and disturbing. There’s just no longer plausible deniability. Temperatures are rising and weather systems have become increasingly destructive, particularly in the Midwest and South United States. Everyone on earth sees and feels the consequences—directly, indirectly and existentially. Yet we’re failing to act.

Today’s youth carry an inequitable burden of pollution, resource depletion and climate change. This intergenerational inequality is massive. Johanna Kranz, in her 2022 article “The (Un)political Perspective on Climate Change in Education” writes: “If the planet continues to warm on its current trajectory, the average 6-year-old will live through roughly three times as many climate disasters as their grandparents. They will see twice as many wildfires, … 3.4 times more river floods, 2.5 times more crop failures, and 2.3 times as many droughts as someone born in 1960. Today’s children will be exposed to an average of five times more disasters than if they lived 150 years ago.”

Earth Charter Indiana’s political advocacy work on climate change focuses on empowering youth to advance social and environmental justice within legislative structures. Youth learn political advocacy skills through Earth Charter programs and work to earn a platform to participate in democratic political processes supposedly built to serve their best interests. 

Learn more about Earth Charter Indiana programs, including Climate Camp and the Climate Resolutions Toolkit for climate leaders—and take action.