Nearly two-thirds, or 65% of Gen X and Millennial respondents said they were either extremely or very willing to make changes to their daily life to address climate change.
To harness the energy of younger generations and advance their own sustainability ambitions, organizations of all types — from governments and corporations to NGOs and educators — will need to be ready to elevate the environmental literacy of younger and older generations.
The survey found that although Gen Z and Gen Alpha have a deeper knowledge of sustainability issues, many were still eager for more sustainability-related information and content. Moreover, only 56% of Gen Alpha and 45% of Gen Z were satisfied with the sustainability education they received in school and in focus groups many said the curriculum was superficial, outdated and not inspiring. Workshops and hands-on learning were cited as the most critical improvements to sustainability education.
Everyday decisions on transport, food, energy and consumables all contribute to how fast and far we can go to reduce emissions. In addition to citing cost as a barrier to achieving a sustainable lifestyle, survey respondents also cited the lack of tangible sustainability knowledge as the next biggest barrier.
The pathway to progress exists at the intersection of climate change and the need for sustainability education. The willingness for change is strong, even among older generations. Nearly two-thirds, or 65% of Gen X and Millennial respondents said they were either extremely or very willing to make changes to their daily life to address climate change.
To capture this momentum, the onus rests with companies, governments and non-profits to find the way forward and help equip younger generations with the knowledge and tools they need to help lead current and future sustainability initiatives.
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Summary
Organizations of all kinds, from corporations to educational institutions to governments, have a responsibility to help prepare the next-generation workforce for the future of sustainability and related jobs. This monumental task will require “green skilling” both younger and older generations, providing more reliable information on the topic of environmental literacy via social media and other outlets and encouraging the adoption of sustainable behaviors in all aspects of life.