Gen Z Talks About This Kind Of Anxiety More Than Anyone Else — But We're All Starting To Feel It

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In this issue, we cover a multitude of articles now increasingly being dominated by those with a negative spin. We open with how Generation Z is coping with a future dominated by increasing levels of extreme weather events by coming together to face it in community events determined to make a difference and not dwell in despair. We examine some of the science behind these extreme weather events and how New Zealand is likely to have to deal with more of them, along with the rest of the world. Perhaps installing more localised solar PV could improve our climate resilience and disaster planning.

Perhaps it is time for Ecocide to join the list of most serious crimes at the International Criminal Court. Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu certainly think so. Perhaps our politicians who believe NZ’s future is all about more oil and gas, plus mining on conservation land should be more than a little concerned. Thankfully there are those who are leading in the opposite direction, for example Andrew Forrest, the inspirational Chair of West Australian iron ore mining company Fortesque, who is urging action to achieve ‘real zero’ by 2040, rather than 2050 and the Tree Army in Mexico City who are emancipating trees from being slowly strangled by illegally poured concrete covering their tree roots.

We end on a positive note, by carrying a comprehensive article on the many ways immersing yourself in nature can relieve mental stress, whether it be from certain natural elements – particular flowers, landscapes and scents. They all contribute to relieving stress and a way of dealing with the modern complexities of society, including those associated with climate change.

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This article explores how climate anxiety and eco-grief are particularly prevalent among Gen Z, but are increasingly affecting others. Gen Z feels intense emotions about climate change, knowing they will experience its long-term effects. Individuals like Ayana Williams express sorrow for future generations who won’t know a stable Earth, while others, like Morgan Evans, recount personal tragedies caused by climate disasters. The article delves into the emotional toll of this crisis, how it amplifies economic inequality, and the need for collective action, not despair, to combat climate change. Read more…

Human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and storms more frequent and severe. This trend is driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, which trap heat and warm both the air and oceans. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and floods. Heatwaves are becoming more common, with temperatures breaking records globally. Scientists stress the need to halve emissions by 2030 to prevent temperatures from rising over 1.5°C, which would lead to more extreme weather events. Read more…

New projections show New Zealand will heat faster than expected, according to NIWA. By 2100, temperatures could rise by 3°C if greenhouse gas emissions remain high. New Zealand has already warmed by 1.1°C since the early 20th century. Updated models, which now include local topography, predict more heat and drier conditions overall, particularly in the North Island and east of the South Island. Communities are urged to use this data for climate preparedness, especially regarding extreme events like heatwaves and heavy rainfall. Read more…

With extreme weather in the forecast, how can New Zealand build disaster resilience to more frequent events like cyclone Gabrielle? Distributed rooftop solar could address two urgent issues at once – also helping the country’s energy crisis. In a country that’s subject to multiple natural hazards, distributed solar technologies can help bring generation closer to the consumer and create more resilient communities. As our government has highlighted adaptation as a key area of their climate strategy, localised renewable energy generation could be a solution on the cards. Read more…

However, developing countries may find it harder to adapt to climate change in the same way as us. Given small island nations in the Pacific are exposed to some of the most severe consequences of climate change, it is no surprise that they’re calling for ecocide to join the list of most serious crimes at the International Criminal Court. New Zealand has previously led the way in transformative environmental law – this article argues that we should support this proposal for the sake of our own environment and that of our neighbours. Read more…

In some communities, perspectives of time and religion can change how climate change is communicated. In some, there simply isn’t established climate vocabulary at all. So how do you communicate climate change to developing communities in face of these differences? Language can be at the forefront of climate education, by carefully translating spiritual and indigenous language to make communications effective and relatable. Climate change awareness and sustainability efforts will only increase over time. Care needs to be taken to how these concepts are lived, understood and talked about in non-Western settings. Read more…

Mining giant Fortescue says it’s time to walk away from the ‘proven fantasy’ of net zero. Australian mining tycoon Andrew Forrest now is the time to embrace “real zero” by 2040 instead. Fortescue, which is the world’s fourth-largest iron ore miner, has outlined plans to stop burning fossil fuels across its Australian iron ore operations by the end of the decade and urged other hard-to-abate companies to follow suit. ‘Real zero’ is the ability of this planet to use the technology it has right now. Read more…

A small Army of community activists in Mexico City, are ‘liberating’ trees with sledgehammers to remove unauthorised concrete which is effectively suffocating them. El Ejercito de Arboles (The Tree Army), who’s mission it is protect and improve Mexico City's urban forest, whether it's chipping away at unauthorised concrete, confronting illegal cutting, or planting trees in areas of need. Trees are essential assets in cities, where they provide cooling shade, reduce pollution and contribute to green space. Thankfully this army seems to be winning most of its battles. Read more…

Nature is good for us; this article delves into a level of detail that we haven’t seen before. The benefits of sunshine first thing in the morning and how certain smells and colours can have positive impacts on both physical and mental health. Anything that reduces stress in our fast-paced world of conflict and climate change has got to be good for us. Apparently, there’s an old saying that the perfect walk has “something to see, somewhere to pee, and somewhere to get a cup of tea”. Read more…

This week we have the following innovation articles we hope you find interesting:

Hydrology Report - 10 October 2024

Electricity Price Index - 10 October 2024

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