Letter to the Editor: Movement smothered with adult pessimism

Young climate activists have been closely scrutinised recently by sceptical adults. You only have to go on Twitter to see (often poorly written) insults and diatribes from older social media users. In Julie Cahill’s letter (September 30), she questions whether these kids are practising what they’re preaching.

The long list of eco-friendly suggestions she provides are exactly the actions that are common among my friends, other students I’ve seen at college and any young adult I come across. I have friends who are vegan, friends who never buy new clothes and are conscious of one-use materials. And these aren’t even the activists Ms Cahill refers to leading global protests and meeting world leaders.

This is just how many young people lead their lives today. Rest assured, the Greta Thunbergs you see in the media have heard of recycling and will recycle their placards. What Ms Cahill could do is educate people her own age, who mightn’t have heard of her useful ideas. Businesses (which young people don’t own) often have environmentally unfriendly practices.

This could change. We are all aware that individual changes won’t save the world, but it’s worth trying. Just don’t smother this important movement with adult pessimism.

Jack Desmond

Bandon

Co Cork

This reader's opinion was originally published in the letters page of the Irish Examiner print edition on 2 October, 2019.