Today’s Generation Takes a Step Forward to Protect the Environment
Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 20:49 IST
Whether it’s picking up a camera or a handful of beach litter, this generation is proving that action speaks louder than hashtags and the Earth is listening.
The youth are redefining what it means to be environmentalists in the 21st century. They are not only showing up for the planet they are shaping a new, inclusive, and creative environmental movement that blends community, communication, and courage
From climate strikes to conservation-focused careers, the youth of today are not just aware of the environmental crisis, they’re actively reshaping the future with every action, reel, and rally. What was once a distant cause is now a lived experience, deeply intertwined with identity, purpose, and creativity. This generation is no longer waiting for change—they are becoming the change.
From Awareness to Action
“Today’s generation is not just raising awareness about environmental issues—we’re taking action,” says Malhar Kaalambe, Environmentalist & Content Creator, and Founder, ‘Beach Please’. “From beach clean-ups to climate strikes, young people are showing up where it matters. What’s inspiring is the shift from conversation to contribution.”
Kaalambe’s initiative ‘Beach Please’ has mobilized hundreds of volunteers in regular weekend clean-ups across Mumbai’s coastlines. But their impact goes beyond the beaches. “Because the youth is more active on social media, it can be used as a very effective tool to reach out to more people and sensitize them. But we don’t believe in social media activism alone—along with creating content on these platforms, we are also working on ground every weekend to bring about real change.”
He believes that small actions like picking up plastic waste or switching to eco-friendly products can snowball into a collective movement. “Yes, we have a long way to go,” he says, “but this generation is not waiting for change. We are becoming the change. Our message is clear: the Earth is our only home, and we are ready to protect it.”
Nature Is No Longer Abstract
This hands-on engagement with nature is echoed by Aman Sharma, Environment Conservationist and Digital Content Creator, who believes young people are making deliberate choices to understand and preserve India’s rich biodiversity. “I think we’re at a critical juncture today where youth are stepping up for both, people and planet,” he says.
More and more children, Sharma observes, are expressing a desire to become climate scientists, ornithologists, and conservationists—not just out of curiosity, but from a real urge to contribute meaningfully. “Children have become more conscious of their footprint on nature, especially after the pandemic when wildlife returned to our urban cities. That exposure to India’s natural heritage—often missing from our education system—is key to inspiring them.”
Aman, whose work often introduces young audiences to native Indian birds, believes that environmental threats are no longer distant for this generation. “Nature is no longer an obscure concept for them—it’s a lived reality. And so are the current environmental threats—the climate crisis, biodiversity extinction, forest fires.”
A Generation That Lives Sustainability
This transformation is also being seen in the choices young people make—what they study, where they work, and which brands they support. “I see more youngsters studying subjects like I did in college—environmental studies, carbon emissions, and sustainability,” Aman adds. “Sustainability has become a key identifier of the brands they support and promote. I’ve seen our youth show up like never before and truly imbibe the Indian culture and ethos of co-existence.”
He insists that the best time to introduce children to nature is in their early years. “Childhood is the best time children are so loving and curious by nature, and using those strengths and channeling them towards saving our wildlife has been imperative,” he says. “I get asked often what can parents and kids collectively do to help conservation. The answer is simple. USE your talents. I used photography. Yours could be painting, writing, singing, building, innovating sustainability is applicable to everything in every way.”
The youth are redefining what it means to be environmentalists in the 21st century. They are not only showing up for the planet they are shaping a new, inclusive, and creative environmental movement that blends community, communication, and courage. Whether it’s picking up a camera or a handful of beach litter, this generation is proving that action speaks louder than hashtags and the Earth is listening.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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