Of course, I would like the older generation to show the right path of development and help the young by passing on their experience. I understand that an unpopular opinion is always criticized by society, and that is why almost no one really speaks out. Since childhood, we have been told: “Respect your elders, do not contradict old people.” Yet for some reason this often happens without reciprocal respect; on the contrary, the opinion of the younger generation is cut off at the root, as if to say: “You have no business talking. Grow up to my age first; for now, you still have milk on your lips.”
No, this is not always and not everywhere. My great-grandfather was a wise man. He advised me on how to take the right step; we went into the taiga, and he explained to me about wild animals and herbs. His life experience became my experience. He was a wonderful person.
It is important to understand this: my material now is not about society as a whole; we have many wonderful people. This does not concern ordinary citizens at all. We are talking about the political structure of the old industrial society — those who, within the existing system, control enormous power and capital. And also about those who live by the principle “there will be enough for my lifetime” and consciously support the existing system, where only capital stands at the center of interests.
I have spoken a great deal with people in power. We argued with them about environmental problems and adopted laws. In response to any attempts to seek solutions to problems, we are told: “You are still a snot-nosed kid, shut up and do not interfere with us running the system.” And every time, absolutely every time, they emphasize age. If you are not old enough for them, then no one will talk to you or listen to you from the outset. Even if you have extensive experience and strong knowledge.
And this old industrial institution controls accumulated capital, politics, and the entire inertia of the system. It also often takes an aggressive position toward those who are trying to take the reins of governance into their own hands and make certain decisions — precisely toward the younger generation.
In nature protection, all of this is especially dangerous. How can we achieve systemic change when the median age of current national leaders in the world is 62, while young people under 30 make up half of the world’s population and only 2% of legislators? I am looking now at scientists’ statistics, real scientific research, and here is what it shows: in 32 developed countries, the contribution of older age groups to consumer emissions rose from 25.2% to 32.7
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