“The Truth About Climate Change in 2025: What No One Is Talking About (But Should Be)”

 

http://www.planetwatch.ca/

Dear Reader,

I was sipping my morning coffee the other day—seriously, that mug of java was absolutely stellar—and as the steam curled up in lazy spirals, a thought popped into my head: What cause in the world needs more attention than anything else right now? I scanned the list in my mind—global health, poverty, artificial intelligence, the rise of the octopus as an internet star—but the winner, surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) was clear: climate change.

Yes, I know—it might sound like another “oh-yes, we know about that” topic. But bear with me. Because while we’ve heard a million times that carbon dioxide is up and the sea levels are rising, what I want to share here is freshly worded, deeply researched, and hopefully uplifting in the sense that we all—including the youth and the older among us—can act. And yes, I’ll pepper in a little humour (respectfully) because otherwise we might drift off into doom-scroll territory, and what a waste of a good coffee moment that would be.

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Why I Thought of It (Thanks to Coffee and Reflection)

There I was, mug in hand, thinking about what I’d really like to change in the world. And this idea of climate change kept bobbing up like a stubborn cork. Because it’s not just about polar bears (though they’re adorable and deserve better), it’s about our future society, our children’s futures, the economy, justice, biodiversity, everything. And the ironic part? We engage less—especially youth—than we should. So this blog is for you (yes, reading this) and me (yes, I’m in this too) to build momentum.

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The Hard Realities (But Told with Heart)

Let’s anchor with facts—because we need truth if we’re going to act smart.

• The world just recorded its warmest January on record, despite a cooling La Niña phase.  

• There is an 80% probability that at least one year between 2025-2029 will surpass the warmest year currently on record.  

• According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), CO₂ concentrations soared to unprecedented highs in 2024.  

• Because of warming and fossil fuels, one of the biggest environmental problems in 2025 is “global warming from fossil fuels.”  

• Beneath the numbers, biodiversity is hurting too. For instance, terrestrial species ranges are shrinking under a 1.5-2 °C warming scenario.  

  
  
  

  
  

Now, here’s a less-often told truth: Many people think that if we just “turn off the lights” or “buy an electric car” we’re done. But the real story is more layered. Some natural carbon sinks—forests, oceans—are weakening. For example, warmer drought-stricken forests absorb less CO₂. The synergy of fossil fuels + weakened natural systems is a double whammy.  

That means: even if we reduce emissions, if we don’t also protect & restore nature, we’ll end up in a tougher spot.

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Why This Needs Youth & Older Generations Working Together

Here’s where the message gets personal (hi, that’s me!). I believe, and you might believe too, that society’s future is co-crafted: younger voices bring innovation, urgency, fresh ideas; older voices bring experience, resources, mentorship. Let’s break down why each matters, and how collaboration turns good ideas into powerful action.

For Youth (teens, twenties, thirties):

• You are inheriting a world that’s already warmed, that will continue to warm—but you also hold the key to how much worse it gets.

• Innovations: from social media campaigns to climate-tech startups, you can leapfrog old systems.

• Moral urgency: When you say “this is our future,” you mean it. That energy matters.

• But: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re just future victims. You’re active agents. I mean it—yes you.

For Older Generations (forties, fifties, sixties, beyond):

• You’ve seen policy cycles, you’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

• You may hold economic or political power: that means investments, governance, influence.

• You have stories and context: industrial shifts, energy transitions, societal changes. That wisdom helps avoid repeating mistakes.

• And I’ll say this: If you’re older and thinking “the youth will figure it out,” I respectfully say—no, they can’t do it alone. We need you.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Together:

• Younger + older = intergenerational partnerships. Imagine a 17-year-old climate-hacker working with a 60-year-old policy-maker. Boom: ideas + execution.

• Think community gardens, renewable-co-op businesses, local climate resilience projects. Youth bring tech-savvy; older bring networks and stability.

• Social justice lens: Climate change disproportionately affects younger generations and vulnerable communities. Older generations have to be allies and enablers of justice.

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What Needs More Attention (That Isn’t Getting Enough)

Okay, I promised “more information which not written anywhere else” (or at least not everywhere). Here are some angles you might not have seen as frequently:

1. Natural Carbon Sink Fatigue:

   We know forests absorb carbon, but less heard is that many are reaching a “fatigue” phase—heat and drought stress make them less effective. That means the margin for error is smaller than we think.

2. Compound Climate Events Across Generations:

   Older generations might recall “one big hurricane every few years.” Youth will likely see “overlapping disasters”: wildfire + drought + storm + food insecurity—in the same timeline. This isn’t just more frequent, but more complex.

3. The Innovation Gap Is Social, Not Just Tech:

   Yes, solar and batteries are advancing. But the real bottleneck is social innovation: how we organise communities, how we incentivise behaviour, how we value natural assets. Youth can lead here (community platforms, climate-gaming, etc.). Older can invest and scale.

4. Adaptive Justice:

   Climate change isn’t just an environmental problem—it’s a justice problem. Future-proofing society means protecting the most vulnerable. That means youth voice in climate-policy, older voice in ensuring fairness in transition (who pays, who gains) and avoiding “climate gentrification”.

5. Mental Health & Culture:

   Youth today are very aware of climate anxiety. But few discussions show how culture, art, humour, and community rituals can help transform anxiety into action. That’s a space where both generations can partner: older bring tradition, youth bring new mediums (TikTok activism, memes yes, seriously).

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What You and I (Yes, Us) Can Do Right Now

Because it’s nice to know facts, but better to act.

• Educate & Share: Bring climate change into everyday conversations. Your coffee moment with me reading this blog counts. Talk to your friends, your elders, your kids. Use data but keep it human.

• Local Action: Cities and towns matter. Volunteer with a tree-planting group, support local climate-resilience planning (flooding, heat islands). Youth can champion; older can fund or advise.

• Invest Time & Money: If you’re older and financially stable, consider supporting youth-led climate initiatives. If you’re younger, invest your time in climate clubs, internships, start-ups. Money isn’t everything; engagement is.

• Intergenerational Mentoring: Pair up! Youth: ask an older person to mentor you in organising, funding, governance. Older: ask a young person to mentor you in social media, digital outreach, new tech.

• Be Humble and Start Small: You don’t have to save the world in one go. Even switching a household appliance, or pushing for a bike-friendly street, or planting native plants in your yard helps. The joke here: My coffee moment didn’t turn me into a global climate czar—but it did push me to write this blog.

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My Personal Thoughts (Because I Promised)

As I sat there, coffee in hand, I realised something: I’m kind of torn. On one side, I’m hopeful—because youth are waking up, technology allows us to see change and act faster than ever. On the other side, I’m uneasy—because the windows for action are narrower, the natural buffers are weaker, and we’re running faster just to stay in place.

But here’s my firm belief: If we don’t engage now, “the future” becomes someone else’s problem. I don’t want to read in 20 years that “well, the young did their thing but no one older joined” or “older did the heavy lifting but no young innovated”. I want to witness us—across ages—working together.

And yes, I know it’s easier said than done. There’s work, sacrifice, maybe changing habits (yes, eating less meat sometimes, yes, considering climate in what we buy). But the upside? A society where we’re resilient, creative, just. Where “climate action” isn’t a scary phrase, but a familiar one—like “my morning coffee”.

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Final Word

So dear reader: Next time you pick up a coffee (or tea, or whatever your brew is), think of this blog—think of your kid, your neighbour, your future self. Ask: What role will I play?

Because if the cause of climate change gets the attention, action, humour (yes, we need humour), and partnership it deserves—then maybe one day we’ll look back and say: “Yes, we did that together.” And the coffee will taste even better.

Thank you for reading. Let’s get to work.

With warm (but not too hot) regards,

Ruby Dalvina 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby_dalvina/albums/72177720323744532/