56 Time February 3, 2020
‘In order to save everything that matters, it’s time to saygoodbye to the habits of the past.’—
Jamie M
argolinmy generation is called Generation Z, the last letter of the
English alphabet. If we humans continue with our fossilfuel
addiction and putting profits over the rights of children to
breathe and live, then that terminal name will be fitting.
It doesn’t have to be this way. In order to save everything
that matters, it’s time to say goodbye to the habits of the past.
We are calling on our leaders to enact Green New Deals in
their home countries or to introduce radi
cal deconstructions of the root systems of
oppression and capitalism that caused
the climate crisis in the first place. No
more “cap and trade,” no more buying
and selling your way out of a problem
caused by buying and selling.
We the youth are calling upon
you to restore our faith in you
to be able to put our lives first.
We hear you say that you love us,
but this time we need you to act on
the climate crisis in a way that will
make us actually believe it.
So get to it. Time is not on our side.
Margolin, 18, is a Colombian-American
activist and the founder of Zero Hour
WHEN I WAS 6, THE KIDS IN
MY COMMUNITY OF FLINT,
MICH., HAD TO LEARN TO
NOT USE THE WATER THAT
FLOWED FROM OUR TAP.
IT WAS POISONING US,
BECAUSE THE POLITICIANS
GAMBLED WITH OUR LIVES.
ADULTS SAY CHILDREN
ARE THE MOST PRECIOUS
THINGS IN THE WORLD
AND THAT WE SHOULD BE
PROTECTED. BUT THOSE
SAME ADULTS CONTINUE
TO FAIL US. IT’S TIME FOR
THOSE IN CHARGE TO GIVE
US A SEAT AT THE TABLE
AND TAKE CARE OF OUR
FUTURES SO WE CAN
FOCUS ON JUST BEING KIDS
A LITTLE MORE.
Copeny, 13, is an American youth activistMARI COPENY
Give us back our
childhoods
i started cooking when I was 10. With tremendous sup
port from my family and others in my profession, I worked
my way through kitchens in L.A. and New York to hone the
craft. I opened my first popup restaurant at age 13.
Beginning to develop a craft, especially at a young age, is
a fragile process. If I hadn’t been encouraged by mentors and
partners, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to learn more.
We are in an era so focused on immediacy that it is difficult for
any talent to be given the chance to develop or the opportunity
to stand out. Lack of support for young
artists creates resentment where there
could be beauty, originality and change.
When we don’t invest in young peo
ple or we push them to conform, we end
up with a lack of genuine creativity. I
owe my success to the artistic freedom
I was given. It inspired me to work hard
and, most importantly, think in the ab
stract, which can impact any industry in
need of fresh ideas.
McGarry, 21, is an American chef; his
restaurant, Gem, is in New YorkFLYNN MCGARRY
Invest in our creativityJAMIE MARGOLIN
Make us a Green New Deal