Gen Z is coming into power and committed to protecting our planet | Guest Opinion

Florida U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, 25, made history on Jan. 3 by becoming the first Gen Z member of Congress. As the realities of the climate crisis grow increasingly apparent and young people push and prod leaders to take resolute climate action, Frost’s election marks the first moment my generation enters the halls of power as decision makers.

As with generations before us, Gen Z comes with its own unique perspective on the world shaped by our lived experiences. We’ve grown up in an environment of deep anxiety and uncertainty, surrounded by constant reminders of our rapidly changing climate. We understand that we live in an unpredictable environment intensifying the pressure on our already-strained social and economic systems.

With every passing year, climate change’s impact on society grows in severity. These effects are already evident, from relentless West Coast fires to catastrophic flooding in Pakistan. This is not just an issue for some distant future — by the time I’m Joe Biden’s age in 2081, temperatures in my home state of North Carolina may be 6-10 degrees warmer than today, and New York summers will rival those in Arkansas in heat and humidity.

Despite these dire stakes, however, older generations in power continue to sacrifice our future on the altar of quarterly profits and election results. We’ve lost the privilege of short-term thinking. Gen Z will live long into the 21st century, and we are painfully aware of how today’s choices create tomorrow’s future.

We are fighting at the front lines to address inherited crises that are not our fault. Born between 1997 and 2012, none of us could drive before carbon dioxide reached levels unseen in eons. We spent our formative years playing among the rubble of the ‘08 financial crisis, breathing the increasingly poisonous air of polarization and protecting ourselves from a global pandemic in between homework assignments.

Gen Zers are the first digital natives and the most eco-conscious cohort in America. Opportunists are already aware of our influence and eagerly attempt to craft the perfect marketing slogans and political campaigns to attract our growing economic and political power. But we are not just a consumer class or reliable voting base swayed by photo-ops and lip service to sustainability.

We are the heirs of a planet on life support. We are shareholders of an exploited Earth and will shoulder the burden of the consequences of climate inaction. It is only fair that we have a direct say in the decisions that will affect our future, and we demand our voices and our ideas be heard.

Frost walked into Congress as one more vote for crucial climate legislation, such as the Green New Deal and the Thrive Act. But more is needed. We need Gen Z representation at all levels of society, from local school boards and zoning departments to political offices and C-suites.

Programs like the Aspen Institute Future Leaders Climate Summit, of which I’m an alumnus, is an excellent example of engaging and training my generation to be climate leaders. Last May, at the Aspen Institute Future Leaders Climate Summit in Miami Beach, I saw how South Florida stands on the front lines of the climate crisis. Being surrounded by hundreds of people devoting their lives to solving inherited problems gives me hope for a future bearing our fingerprints.

With the Aspen Institute Future Leaders Climate Summit and Aspen Ideas: Climate returning to Miami Beach this March 3-9, 250 young people will get the unique opportunity to start building that future together.

I’ve also learned that to address climate change effectively, intergenerational solidarity is necessary. Older generations can contribute by supporting programs like this and sincerely listening to and considering our perspectives. We must learn wisdom and new viewpoints from each other without condescension or animosity to create a healthy and habitable Earth for future generations.

Maxwell Frost’s presence in Congress will be a testament to the importance of our presence at each level of power and catalyze Gen Z’s entrance into the halls of power. We are passionate, eager and ready to help create the world we’ll soon inherit. Our voices will be heard, and we will not wait for the older generations to take action on our behalf–we must take it upon ourselves to shape our own future.

Julian Cauzae is a senior at Washington University in St. Louis and an alumnus of the Aspen Institute Future Leaders Climate Summit. He can be found on TikTok at @juliancauzae.