Introduction
From the three interviews that I managed to carry out for this assignment, I realized that there is a significant difference in how different generations perceive the environment. This shows that over time, the concerns and attitudes toward the environment and related dynamics have evolved, with different age groups having different opinions on the same. This paper aims at discussing the changing landscape perspectives on the environment. This will be achieved by analyzing the research findings and comparing or resonating them with literature to understand how generational gaps contribute to this significant difference.
Findings of the Interview and How They Relate to the Main Takeaway
The different cultural contexts, personal experiences as well as general societal influences were the major determiners of how the examined participants regarded the environment. It is important to note that the participants come from different generation gaps, which translates to a high possibility of them having different levels of the determining factors. From the interview, it was noted that the participants from the older generation, where I interviewed my friend’s grandfather, resonate the best with the environment. The participant recounted the environment as an important component of society that is associated with oneness and tranquility. He resonated that he had grown with a deep connection with nature as since when he was young, most of the social events were carried out in specific environments, where people from diverse backgrounds and descent would come together, forget their differences, and celebrate a certain occasion. He resonated that the environment is a God-given treasure that we should safeguard by making it always clean through collective social and personal responsibility. When asked the question, ‘Was there ever a time or place where you felt one with nature?’ the participant from the older generation responded affirmatively. He replied. “Nature is the only place that I find solace in. Whenever I feel like meditating and taking a break from this busy world, I look for a calm and cool environment where I relax and feel a deep connection with nature.” It is evident that the older generation values the environment.
On the other hand, the representative of the young generation that I interviewed has a very different approach. They were of the perspective that human activity are continuing to endanger the environment through environmental degradation and pollution. The participant was very concerned about this issue and worried about what the future would be like. This reaction shows that they recognize and uphold the significance of having a healthy environment as it translates to clean air, protection from solar radiation, controlled climate rather than the current issue of climate change, and conducive conditions to grow food and rear domestic animals. In a nutshell, the younger generation feels that there’s a need to protect the environment as it is a major determiner of what the future will look like. They feel worried that their current attitude toward the environment will affect them in the future, making them push for environmental conservation (Anable, 2019). When asked whether they consider themselves environmentalists, the youngster strongly agreed. He responded that he is part of an environmentalist group in his local school, which advocates for environmental conservation and the adoption of green energy (Feng, 2023). He clearly stated that their mission is to ‘make the environment pollution-free for the sake of the future.’
Lastly, I interviewed an adult who is about 45 years old and collected a number of insights. This age group is equally concerned about the environment and how industrialization is affecting it through the various means of pollution, such as air pollution, water pollution, and degradation of land through activities such as mining. However, it is notable that this age group equally recognizes the significance of industrialization and the crucial role that it plays in providing employment and raw materials and boosting the economy; this age group is concerned about the need to provide for their families but at the same time, concerned on the impact that the various activities involved in this process affect the environment. When asked whether he is an environmentalist, he responded that he is not an activist enough as most of the time, he does what he has to in order to make ends meet and, in the process, contributes to environmental pollution (Weiss, 2021). For instance, he said that he has to drive to work and rush to other places with his cam, which contributes to carbon gas emissions, a major issue contributing to climate change. This generation feels that there is a need to develop convenient ways that serve the purpose of working towards economic growth while still conserving the environment through plans such as affordable green energy and electric cars.
Reflection
It is notable that all the generations interviewed have various views on the environment, but one thing is constant: they all uphold the significance of a healthy environment. The older generation resonates with the ambiance and content that a peaceful environment comes with but also notes that this has changed over time, In the same way, the fairly old adults recognize the changes that have occurs in the environment and so dos the young adults. There is a consistent worry about the future of the environment due to issues such as environmental pollution and degradation. Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the natural environment as a result of natural or human-induced activities and includes soil erosion, deforestation, pollution, and land degradation as a result of activities such as construction and mining( Weiss, 2021). This destroys the aesthetic nature of the environment, which the older generation value. In addition, climate change has become a menace to the environment, which is highly credited to environmental pollution (Anable, 2019). This has led to global warming, which poses a danger to biodiversity and a series of other harsh environmental conditions. Human activities are the major contributors to the disruption of the environment, and measures should be taken to regulate this issue. This involves embracing green energy such as electric cars, subsidizing green energy, public education, initiatives to rehabilitate the environment, and responsibility at a personal level (Feng, 2023).
Conclusion
The problems and perspectives that people of different generations have on the environment are, in a nutshell, distinct. On account of the fact that they are still young, members of the younger generation are more concerned about the future of the environment. It is because of this that they are motivated to become champions for good change in order to guarantee that their future will be adequately planned for. In addition, people who are pretty elderly believe that there is a need to devise methods that are friendly to the environment in order to carry out their daily activities because they are required to earn a living in order to exist. According to the elder generation, on the other hand, they have a strong connection with the natural world and believe that this should be something that everyone can relate to. According to their point of view, when a person has this connection, they are more likely to be sensitive about the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. In conclusion, it can be stated that every generation is committed to the idea of a healthy environment and is motivated to be a part of the solution on both a personal and a communal level.
References
Anable, J., & Brand, C. (2019). Energy, pollution and climate change. Transport Matters, 55-82. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781447329558.003.0003
Feng, R., & Li, Z. (2023). Current investigations on global N2O emissions and reductions: Prospect and outlook. Environmental Pollution, 338, 122664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122664
Weiss, C. (2021). Climate disruption, not just global warming. The Survival Nexus, 24-46. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190946265.003.0003
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