Questions surrounding climate change and environmental care have magnified for MFS students because of recent events such as the United Nations flagship report, the new Get Past Plastic law, and Earth Day. Events like these amplify the voices of students, who are important to help the future of our environment. 

An international Social Science Research Network survey asked 10,000 kids from ages 16 to 25 for  their thoughts on climate change. The survey stated that “over 50% [of kids] felt sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty” about it. 

Coltrane Blackburn ’25 had similar opinions:  “I do worry about the future generation’s well-being, because with climate change comes more issues like more hurricanes, more earthquakes, more natural disasters in general … a lot of adults don’t really acknowledge it as much as they should.” 

Charlie Beetham ’24 said he felt similarly, too, and offered a grim perspective of the future. “I feel that climate change is something that will decrease the quality of our lives in the future … [Climate change] may cause severe devastation if we don’t actively try to stop it.”

Not only students feel this way. Rachel Kaplan, a co-clerk in the faculty environmental committee, said, “The reason I wanted to get involved [in the committee] is because I’m scared for students’ futures … things cannot be ignored anymore.” However, she said she still feels hopeful.“Students have this chance to see needed changes and [have] hope for the future … I think students today will be brought together in caring about their future on this planet, and the environment that surrounds them.”

Many students say they want their generation to act. The same students who were fearful  about climate change said there were ways to combat the issue. Blackburn thought that one way to fight against climate change is to “speak up about global warming … if enough of the younger generation should speak up about it, the adults won’t be able to ignore it. Recycling and not wasting materials would probably help a lot. Everything helps.”

Some students shared a more hopeful outlook. Esha Acharya ‘25 was happy about the shift away from polystyrene (styrofoam) and plastic straws and bags with Get Past Plastic Law, which went into effect on Wednesday, May 4. However, this law going into effect wasn’t as much of a transition for Acharya as it could be for others: “My parents and I rarely use plastic bags. Whenever we go shopping, [my mom] always brings cloth bags so plastic bags have never really been a big part of my life.” 

Students have also shared ways that they’ve reduced their amount of waste. Maxwell Wang ’25 said, “I try to stay as neutral as I can be with waste, and I don’t really use things that aren’t recyclable … it’s about improving the world as a whole.”