Young people in Ireland say that climate change is the biggest problem needing to be tackled in the next 20 years, two surveys have revealed.
Research conducted by Young Social Innovators and Amárach Research found that 47% of 16-21 year olds believe that climate change is the biggest issue to face their generation.
And 64% believe that they will contribute to climate action during their lifetime.
In a separate survey conducted as part of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, two thirds of this same generation said climate change was a priority area to tackle in the next 20 years.
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Around 60% of the people surveyed said that the attitude towards this issue among their peers was “stressed, anxious or depressed”.
Only one percent described it as “optimistic”.
And when asked who they felt most listened by, 12% said the Government as their answer.
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Considering all other areas answered in the survey, it is believed that climate change is one that young people think they can make a real impact.
These findings were released with the start of the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards 2019 where students come up with solutions to Ireland’s most pressing problems.
