To you, young people of Generation Z, of the digital communications generation, of the climate drama generation, the week of “Climate Rage” is now over. Organizing such an event represents a colossal job. Many of you have dedicated hours to this in hopes of fueling societal changes crucial to your future.
We try to imagine what motivated you during all these meetings… Of course, the hope, the excitement at this project which was taking shape, the joy of working together and feeling the strength of the group. But also the frustrations arising from obstacles and disagreements, the worry and fear in the face of a future that may appear bleak, as well as the anger in the face of widespread inaction.
We talked about you in the media, you were criticized for using radical, unnecessary means, for wanting to draw attention to yourself. You disturbed the adults, you were unreasonable! But what does it mean to be reasonable when the UN Secretary General declares that climate collapse has begun, that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) no longer knows how to draw the alarm bells ringing, that scientists are reduced to engaging in civil disobedience to be heard?
What does it mean to be reasonable, when forests everywhere are devastated by fires whose scale far exceeds “normality”, others are suffering terrible floods and climate refugees are multiplying even here? ? Are radical actions not necessary when it comes to defending lives?
We wonder who are the most reasonable. You, young people, who no longer know what to invent to draw attention to the immeasurable intergenerational injustice of which you are victims? Or we, your parents, who travel like never before, who buy ever bigger vehicles believing that the happiness sold in advertisements will come with it, who keep our wardrobe up to date because, as they say, “we merit”, who dream of huge, newly renovated homes, regardless of the materials thrown away, who overconsume at a rate where the Earth no longer has the capacity to regenerate the resources we take from it?
Is it reasonable to accept without flinching the apathy of our governments which, in the name of sacrosanct economic growth, will leave you a legacy of a disordered climate and unbearable temperatures? Is it reasonable to do nothing when industries pollute the air, water and soil, poisoning populations here and elsewhere and they know it?
We remember a comment we read about young people who threw food at a board well protected by its glass, which sounded something like this: “Where are the parents of these young people? ” Exactly ! Where are we when you fight for your future? How is it possible that we are not by your side? How is it possible that we do not try to seek information, to understand, to get involved? Let us not try, at least, to show you that another path is possible, let us not try to give you at least a little hope.
We want to tell you that you are great! Your ingenuity, your humanity and your courage inspire us to go to the front with you, to defend your future, to work towards the creation of fairer communities, more respectful of life, more resilient. Protecting your children, isn’t that a parent’s first responsibility?