By An Taisce member, Celestine O'Reilly

I write in response to an article in the Dublin Gazette of 25th December 2025 entitled “Survey Finds Climate Anxiety Soaring Among Young Dubliners.”  This is the all-island Youth Climate Justice (YCJ) 2025 survey of Gen Z’s attitudes to climate change. YCJ “empowers young people to bring about positive social change for the benefit of people, communities and the environment.”

Gen Z is generally taken as those born between 1997 and 2012.  They are often referred to as digital natives.

That climate activism has been associated with young people is likely due to Greta Thunburg, a prominent member of Gen Z and a global icon. Greta began a school strike for climate in August 2018, aged 15. Posting a photo of her first strike day on Instagram and Twitter, she inspired school students across the globe to take part in her Friday school strikes. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2019 she famously said: “Our house is on fire. I am here to say, our house is on fire. According to the IPCC we are less than twelve years away from not being able to undo our mistakes”.

Perhaps this is also why, speaking at an event in New Zealand in May 2019, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said his generation has not shown the capability to reverse the impacts of climate change and it's up to the youth to "rescue the planet".

This was a tall order, even back in 2019 when the world seemed a different place. And an even more challenging now, when we’re just 4 years away from not being able to undo our mistakes.

At first glance, the YCJ survey’s 2025 interim findings as reported look hopeful. 79% of 14-25-year-olds surveyed are motivated to engage in climate action.  This is around 10% up on last year. Anger about climate change has similarly increased, from 54% to 64%. and the survey shows “how empathetic young people have become towards the impacts of climate change not only on themselves but on young people and communities affected all around the globe.” 

When asked about their efforts to reduce carbon emissions, recycling came first, with 94% claiming they currently recycle. Strange, though, that flying was not top of the list.  After all, it is potentially their biggest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. 

Back in 2019 while Greta Thunburg was making flying less part of her 2019 "awareness tour" in Europe, Young protesters were chanting: “No more gas, no more oil, keep the carbon in the soil”.  But in YCJ’s 2022 Gen Z index [5], limiting overseas travel is one of the efforts Gen Z are less willing to make for the environment. And in the 2024 survey, 55% chose the ability to travel or take time off as the most significant indicator of a successful life.

And travel means flying. The Official Aviation Guide (OAG) says: “Above an undeniable climate consciousness lies the desire to explore the world, discover new cultures and learn new languages.” As of 2024, “Millennials have surged to become the demographic contributing to more than half of all air travel spending. Alongside them Gen Z is beginning to leave its mark. By 2035 these two groups are together projected to account for over 80% of all airline-related travel expenditures...” [1]

It would seem that despite their anxiety, despite their anger and their empathy, our young people want to keep on flying.

The aviation guide puts a positive spin on it: “Today’s younger travellers are price-sensitive, purpose-driven, and experience-focused. They value travelling and place lived experiences as more important than materialistic items……and their travel destinations are driven by fast-moving digital platforms, notably TikTok and Instagram, where trends evolve in real time and destination interest can spike overnight. These act as decentralised engines of demand, reshaping where and when people want to travel based on virality, visual appeal, and perceived authenticity.” (1).

According to YCJ’s Index of 2024, Instagram was the most widely used platform among Gen Z (76%), followed by TikTok (39%)

From the point of view of advertisers, these “engines of demand” both offer “powerful advertising solutions ... Instagram is better for nurturing prospects through sequential messaging whereas Tik Tok has unparalleled reach and engagement with Gen Z.” Both use algorithms to “enhance user engagement” [3]

And they don’t stop there.

They “use artificial intelligence - not just to personalize your experience, but to influence your behaviour, shape your opinions, and maximize your time online. The goal? Keep you hooked - and monetize every second of your attention.…. While personalization sounds helpful, it can quickly turn into manipulation. And the more we depend on algorithm-driven platforms, the less control we may actually have over what we consume.” [4]

But it’s not just advertising. Gen Z have the support of parents and educators for their jet fuel burning.  There is even a government Financial Support Services Unit providing financial support for school trips abroad for primary and secondary schools. There are travel agencies specifically for school overseas travel. Some still provide “carbon offset” but according to BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, “Paying ‘green fares’ to plant trees can never guarantee to suck aircraft emissions out of the air. This money-making business does not help consumers nor the environment.” And claims that paying extra credits can “offset”, “neutralise”, or “compensate” the CO2 emissions of a flight are factually incorrect. [5]

The YCJ, which is itself government funded, strives to be positive: “The survey also demonstrates a want and need within young people for action to be taken, locally and globally… They want more education, more empathy, and more opportunities to make a difference. As the survey expands to reach even more voices, it’s time for those in power to pay attention……Ireland’s future is in good hands – if we let these passionate, informed young people lead the way.” [6]

How can they lead the way, when they see the inconsistency of government policy, teachers, parents, social media, algorithms, A.I. and manipulative advertising?

I say “inconsistency” rather than “hypocrisy” as it would sound like an accusation. But now it has another name for it that’s undoubtedly more acceptable: “cognitive dissonance”. [6]. Our government recently announced that we will miss our emissions reduction targets by half. The main concern voiced around this is the the resulting fines, not the dangers of climate change, the very reason for the targets. Such doublespeak (another word that’s useful these days) illustrates the corrosive effects of cognitive dissonance.

We know what needs to be done, but we’re not doing it. No wonder climate anxiety is rising among our young people.  Gen Z on their own cannot correct our mistakes.  They need all generations to act responsibly.

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{2] https://www.oag.com/blog/generational-shifts-airline-industry

[2] https://www.kingsbusinessreview.co.uk/articles/how-gen-z-is-shaping-the-future-of-aviation

[3] https://www.smartinvestway.com

[4] https://www.aidigitalspace.com/how-ai-controls-what-you-see/

[5] https://www.beuc.eu/press-release/21-airlines-commit-stop-greenwashing-following-beuc-complaint

[6] https://www.youngsocialinnovators.ie/ysi-blog/ysi-gen-z-index-climate-and-environment-report-2022

[7] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.902703/full

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