It’s time policies were integrated

work-life balance. This, of course, isn’t just aƒecting the younger generations, but they do face a harder battle.

So, does that even give them a lot of time to consider the climate crisis?

A YouGov poll tracking the most important issues facing people in the UK aged 18-24 puts the economy as the most important at 54%, health at 42%, housing at 36% and environment at 28%. Of course, the importance of these issues fluctuates and decreases depending on current events. However, the order has remained fairly consistent over the past year or so.

What does that mean? Younger generations possibly have an ingrained awareness of climate issues and that will always be somewhat of a priority but there are still more pressing factors that are impacting their day-to-day life. It’s not a make-or-break issue for young people, so politicians shouldn’t treat it in such a way – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important.

Wouldn’t it be better if we started thinking of climate issues as an integrated problem? The constant need to have them as a standalone policy could actually be hindering our progress in this area – that approach does very little to explain the positive influence on people’s everyday lives. We hear a lot about what we need to give up but it’s rare to gain an understanding of how climate policies can elevate our life.

Although delivering a Green New Deal is imperative in our fight against the climate crisis, it isn’t the only option.

For young people, an integrated climate approach could provide a good solution. For example, with housing, we could position a good-quality housing policy as a climate solution too. Housing in general is in high demand but it’s also an industry with a high carbon output. A new housing policy to build more social and aƒordable housing which implements better practices and materials would cut our carbon output and provide further housing.

Furthermore, upgrading our housing standards to a Passivhaus-like standard would stop the heat leaks and excessive energy use that we’re forced to endure, and instead would produce wellinsulated housing. By having fully insulated homes, there is less need for heating, reducing bills and household costs. Same goes with retrofitting.

The current state of aƒairs means that for most people this would be a costly exercise and take too long. Having an integrated housing and climate policy would make more sense.

Policymakers should stop trying to fall back on the notion that the climate crisis is the only concern of young people. Instead, they should try focusing on three issues that are actually aƒecting young people and deliver solid solutions that integrate climate as well.