2018 Conference

Individual Paper Presentation

This presentation will cover current research in an effort to examine the role that millennials (roughly born between the years 1982 and 2002[i]) will have in protecting the environment. Many social and political campaigns have hinged their tactics on the widespread idea that young people act on their understanding of the climate change problem[ii]. However, as individuals in the millennial generation have begun to pay taxes, purchase goods and services, and vote in elections it is important to take a look at how their attitudes have changed and their behaviors have been affected. The answer to this question is of import to: environmental groups seeking clarity on how the millennial generation can move climate change efforts forward, product designers/marketers learning how to best factor in sustainability in the creation and promotion of goods to millennial customers, and policy makers trying to better understand this voting demographic, advocate for their interests, and augment political platforms to better cater to millennials. Through a complete literature review, the landscape of research done on millennial interest in climate change can be developed and competing theories can be evaluated based on the assumptions each study made.

Keywords: millennial generation, climate change, social science

[i] Elam, Carol; Stratton, Terry; Gibson, Denise D. “Welcoming a New Generation to College: The Millennial Students.” Journal of College Admission, No. 195, 20-25. Spring 2007. Accessed on January 6, 2018. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ783953.pdf.

[ii] NexGen America. “Millennials & Climate Action.” May 2015. Accessed on January 6, 2018. https://nextgenamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1.7.16-PNA-NGC-Millennial-Deck-FIN1.pdf.