As the planet continues to warm, the urgency of addressing climate change becomes more apparent, with 2024 recognized as the hottest year on record and recording the highest carbon dioxide levels in millions of years.
The increase in global temperatures is linked to more frequent and severe weather phenomena, including bushfires, floods, and droughts, which disproportionately impact the younger generation. They will bear the brunt of these challenges for much longer than their predecessors.
This situation also raises concerns about intergenerational justice, as future generations will face the consequences of today’s environmental policies.
Impacts on the Young in a Warming World
In Australia, where children and young people make up one-third of the population, the vulnerability of the young to climate-related disasters is a growing concern. Their developing bodies and minds make them particularly susceptible to the effects of crop failures, floods, and droughts.
Beyond physical susceptibility, children are also more prone to the psychological impacts of these events compared to older demographics.
Research from the United Nations highlights that under existing emission trends, Australian children could face more than four intense heatwaves annually. Estimates suggest over two million children could live in regions where heatwaves extend beyond four days each year.
On average, over a million Australian children encounter a climate disaster or extreme weather event annually, with those from remote, low-income, or Indigenous backgrounds being more at risk. This translates to one in six children, a figure that is on the rise.
The Psychological Toll
The psychological effects of climate change on young individuals are profound. Globally, the youth endure a significant emotional toll due to climate-related anxieties. Feelings of frustration and fear are intensified by direct experiences of extreme weather and its health repercussions.
Moreover, youth facing climate-induced disasters may struggle with educational disruption, displacement, housing instability, and financial crises. These challenges worsen existing issues such as socioeconomic inequality, rising child poverty, growing education debt, and limited access to affordable housing, leaving today’s youth potentially worse off economically than previous generations.
Policy Gaps and Missed Opportunities
Although some policymakers acknowledge climate change’s role in worsening intergenerational disparities, responses remain inadequate. Former treasury secretary Ken Henry labeled the situation as an “intergenerational tragedy,” citing policymakers’ failure to address climate change among other critical issues.
Despite acknowledging the importance of intergenerational fairness, as noted by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, actions remain lukewarm. The Climate Risk Assessment Report’s findings have not prompted significant policy shifts, and climate change received scant attention during the May 2025 federal election.
The Albanese government’s decision to extend Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project until 2070, adding 87 million tonnes of CO2 annually, has drawn criticism and concern for its long-term impact on the youth.
Amplifying Youth Voices
Young Australians have taken matters into their own hands, mobilizing for climate action since 2018. Through organizations like the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, they have led campaigns and engaged older allies such as the Parents for Climate and the Knitting Nannas.
Many young Australians also pursue strategic climate litigation and legislative collaborations, asserting that governments have a legal duty to shield children from climate change’s harms.
Looking Forward
An opportunity for legislative progress may arise with the reintroduction of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill by MP Sophie Scamps. This bill aims to integrate future generations’ welfare into policy decisions, establishing a duty of care and an independent commissioner for future generations.
While penalty-free, the bill would compel governments to consider the rights and interests of both current and future generations. Inspired by successful legislation in Wales, this approach could be pivotal in promoting intergenerational justice and mitigating climate change’s impact on the young, steering us away from a looming climate disaster.
Original Story at theconversation.com