Generation Z and the environment

MANILA, Philippines — With the threat of climate change looming in the background, Generation Z is beset with data on how catastrophic the future will be for all of us if we do not drastically act today.

This is the generation, generally born between 1997 and 2012, that grew up seeing firsthand the devastating effects of climate change globally, from the havoc made by Super Typhoon Haiyan to the Philippines in 2013, the deadly wildfires in Australia in 2019, and most recently, the extreme heat waves that hit the United States in 2021.

Millennials and Gen Z, who already take up 37 percent and 16 percent of the Philippine population respectively, believe that there is power in their collective voices and choices. Armed with their personal experience and information, they are now setting the tone on a new way of life – a more sustainable one. What does this look like for them?

Greener products and sustainable choices

Plastic straws are out; reusable straws are in! In 2018, a video of a turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose turned viral in the internet and sparked plastic straw bans in many cities. Since then, more and more sustainable products options have become mainstream in the market and are being patronized by the younger generation. In fact, 90 percent of millennials are willing to switch to brands that are sustainable or mindful of their impact to the environment.

Meanwhile 72 percent of Gen Z are willing to spend on products and services that are sustainable and match their values.

Green and smart cities

The new generation puts a high premium on convenience – seeking new, integrated and smart city designs. With people looking for alternative ways of going around amid the COVID-19 pandemic, biking has become the new ‘in’ thing – not just in terms of safety, but also in staying fit and going green! Millennials and Gen Z now look at cities with bike lanes, eco-friendly transport systems, green open spaces, and shaded walkways.

Related to this, they are also advocating for clean and renewable energy. Eighty-one percent of the younger generation believe that the public and private sectors are both responsible in helping us transition to cleaner and greener technology, while 84 percent think that the government should invest more on renewable energy. This is part of the green agenda and their quest for a more sustainable and climate-ready living environment.

Advocating for green

Gen Z ranks underlying environmental issues over economics. According to a study, 40 percent of the younger generation named climate change as the biggest challenge that the world would have to face in the next decade. They are conscious with their own footprint, as well as air and water pollution, preservation of natural resources, global warming and the availability of clean water. They advocate for sustainable alternatives for energy sources, seek funding to support the green agenda.