If I asked you if giving up your car and plane travel (permanently) was a sensable solution to global warming, most people of adult age (lets say 20+) would have a hard time doing that. However the next generation, the ones who are really going to be screwed by the ill effects of the global climate crisis see things a little differently.

new generation of green teenagers are prepared to support radical measures to help the planet, says a new study.

A survey of 16- to 19-year-olds by the Future Foundation found more than one in eight (13%) supported a ban on travelling by air for leisure purposes, while one in 10 say they would back a ban on cars if global warming continues to worsen.

Almost 10% even say they would be prepared to take part in guerrilla activities carried out by environmental groups.

Meanwhile others – primarily girls – are so eco-conscious they have developed a whole new strand of teen insecurity: “green angst”, defined as anxiety about one’s eco credentials. Others said environmental awareness even influences their choice of friends and partners.

The report was conducted on behalf of the National Lottery to inform funding of environmental projects.(via)

It might sound like these kids have lost their minds, supporting guerrilla organizations?! But when you consider the kind of world they are going to inherit it makes perfect sense. If you knew that your parents generation was going to leave you a doomed world, you might be a little pissed. No one wants to grow up to inhabit a mad max movie.

According to the study released today by The National Lottery (UK organization), half of 16-19 year olds (50 per cent) want plastic bags banned completely, 71 per cent think that unnecessary packaging on food should go, and 13% per cent want a ban on traveling by plane for leisure purposes. While a quarter (24 per cent) think there should be increases on the taxes and tolls affecting cars, one in ten is prepared to go even further and would support a complete ban on cars if global warming continues to get worse.

When Asked: “If global warming continues to get worse, which of the following solutions would you be prepared to support in the future?”:

This is what they said:

Rewards for people who recycle – 77%
Banning all unnecessary packaging – 71%
Generating your own power – 61%
Reduced price electricity for electric cars – 61%
Fines for people who don’t recycle – 53%
Banning plastic bags completely – 50%
Stronger international co-operation – 44%
Everyone growing some of their own food – 42%
Tax on food which harms the environment (e.g. flown from abroad) – 36%
Direct action against polluters – 33%
Include carbon offsetting in the price of flights – 31%
Long term program to reduce the world’s population – 25%
Increase tolls/taxes on cars – 24%
Ban on traveling by plane for leisure – 13%
Complete ban on cars – 10%
Taking part in guerrilla activities carried out by environmental groups – 9%

A concern for the environment is also shaping the way young people choose their friends and potential partners. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) are more likely to be friends with someone who cares about the environment, and one in five (21 per cent) would be more likely to go on a date with someone who is green.

There is also a new trend amongst teens – “green angst” – defined as anxiety about one’s green credentials. Girls are more likely to worry that they are not green enough – 59 per cent, compared to 50 per cent of males. And 12 per cent of young people are embarrassed by their parents’ lack of green credentials.

Many young people are disappointed by previous generations, believing that their parents’ generation hasn’t done enough to tackle climate change (45 per cent) and a similar number (44 per cent) think that their own generation is far more concerned about the future than previous generations have ever been.

The report also identifies a new group of “hard-core greens” – the top 20 per cent of young environmentalists – who show a greater enthusiasm for environmental issues than their peers. The report suggests that these young people (who are slightly more likely to be girls) may represent the early adopter wave of environmentalism, and display attitudes that will be thought of as mainstream in the future. They also have the potential to have an effect on their peers, acting as champions for measures that benefit the environment.

Carole Souter, Chair of the National Lottery Forum says: “The environment is a big concern for all of us, and this report shows that young people are at the vanguard of the trend to change lifestyles for the good of the planet.

“We know from our work with Lottery-funded projects that young people care passionately about the environment, and this report shows just how committed they are.”

Read the full report here (pdf)