Gen Z cares about the climate; teenage athlete refuses to co

Gen Z cares about the climate and the potentially catastrophic consequences associated with global warming. Therefore, many of the people belonging to this generation are committed to finding solutions, changing their diet, minimizing their waste, and even refusing to compete in sporting events, as is the case of a British athlete. Recently, Innes FitzGerald, Britain's leading junior women's endurance runner wrote to British Athletics, the governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom, to ask that she not be considered for the World Cross Country Championships team in Australia. due to the serious environmental impact that the long plane trip could generate. Youth concerned about the climate While the climate crisis is a fact that should matter to everyone, Gen Z particularly cares about the climate more than other generations. This is partly because mobile devices have facilitated interconnection and access to current information about what is happening. Furthermore, they also know that it will be they and future generations who will face the greatest environmental challenges and threats, such as lack of water and extreme weather conditions.

But far from being passive and assuming the situation, youth are acting. And, the case of Innes FitzGerald is an example of the climate action that Generation Z is taking. In the letter addressed to British Athletics, the runner indicated her enthusiasm for participating in the competition, but her great regret and duty for rejecting it. «When I started running, the prospect of competing at the world cross country Western Sahara Email List championships seemed simply a dream. However, the reality of the trip fills me with deep concern. Innes FitzGerald, junior endurance racer from Great Britain. Gen Z cares about the climate Gen Z assumes a commitment to environmental responsibility The athlete remembers that, since she was only nine years old and the climate agreement was signed at COP21 in Paris, France, global emissions have increased at an accelerated rate, sending all people, indiscriminately, into a climate catastrophe. «Having the opportunity to compete for Great Britain in Australia is a privilege. However, it is with great regret that I must decline this opportunity.” Innes FitzGerald, junior endurance racer from Great Britain. FitzGerald added that he was concerned about the environmental impact that air travel could have on people on the front lines of the environmental crisis, especially on "their livelihoods, homes and loved ones.



And he added: "The least I can do is express my solidarity with those suffering on the front lines of climate collapse." Let us remember that global aviation generates 13.9% of transport Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, according to the European Commission. This percentage makes this sector the second largest source of emissions only behind road transport. Balance to build a sustainable future FitzGerald has previously represented his country at meets held abroad, but traveled by bus and train from his home in Devon to Turin for the European Cross Country Championships last month. The 16-year-old finished fourth in the women's under-20 race at that event, competing against much older rivals and raising hopes about her potential. However, she has since said that she felt her cumbersome modes of transportation led to her slightly underperforming in the race. «My family is as concerned about the environment as I am. We live in a passive house on a small property that grows fruits and vegetables. […] Aviation is the activity that consumes the most energy and leaves a deep carbon footprint. "I don't want that on my conscience.