[Intro]
Hey! Wait.
Participate
It’s all we have
Already cut in half
[Instrumental, Guitar, Bass, Drums]
[Verse 1]
We’re scared
Our souls bared
Can’t you see
The climate emergency?
[Bridge]
Hey! Wait.
Participate
It’s all we have
Already cut in half
[Chorus]
Green policy
Travesty
Green policy
Tragedy
[Bridge]
Don’t need to ask me
Just look and see!
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
We’re aware
Our hearts care
Can’t you see
The climate emergency?
[Bridge]
Hey! Wait.
Participate
It’s all we have
Already cut in half
[Chorus]
Green policy
Travesty
Green policy
Tragedy
[Bridge]
Don’t need to ask me
Just look and see!
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]
[Bridge]
Hey! Wait.
Participate
It’s all we have
Already cut in half
[Chorus]
Green policy
Travesty
Green policy
Tragedy
[Outro]
Don’t need to ask me
Just look and see!
A SCIENCE NOTE
June 2, 2024 — ‘It’s all we have’: Young Climate Activists on the State of Politics Around the World
“We’re scared because we have worked really hard for the past five years as a movement to focus attention on the climate emergency,” says Adélaïde Charlier. In the European Union elections, the parliament is anticipated to swing sharply towards right-wing parties that oppose climate action.
She explains that the EU’s green policies, some of which have already been blocked or weakened, are being used as scapegoats for broader social changes needed to address the climate crisis—changes that are strongly opposed by conservative groups. “We are questioning the norm and so I believe that this is a reaction to our vision, rather than to what [the policies] actually mean in our daily life.”
Charlier, a prominent climate activist, emphasizes the urgency of the climate crisis and the frustration felt by young activists who see political resistance hindering necessary progress. The shift towards right-wing parties in the EU could potentially roll back significant climate policies, threatening the gains made by environmental movements.
The activists argue that the climate emergency requires immediate and decisive action, which is often at odds with the agendas of conservative political groups. They see this political opposition as not just a challenge to specific policies but as a broader resistance to the transformative changes required to combat climate change effectively.
The sentiment among young activists is one of both determination and apprehension. They recognize the crucial role of political will in enacting climate policies and fear that a rightward shift in the EU parliament could undermine efforts to mitigate the climate crisis. Despite these challenges, activists like Charlier remain committed to advocating for a sustainable future, underscoring the importance of continued pressure and activism in the face of political adversity.
This ongoing struggle highlights the intersection of environmental issues with broader social and political dynamics, illustrating the complex landscape that climate activists must navigate to achieve their goals. The push for climate action is not just about implementing green policies but also about challenging existing power structures and norms that resist change.