Listen to the Young: Times of India

Young people are worried about the future of their societies and the planet as a whole and are becoming activists, convincing peers and adults to listen. Greta Thunberg of Sweden, 16, has rallied millions of students around the globe urging immediate action on climate change, and Joshua Wong, 22, seeks support on protecting democracy for Hong Kong. “Both Thunberg and Wong need the adults to act to escape a terrifying future: a super-heated world leading to mass extinction and an authoritarian rule asphyxiating a free-wheeling global metropolis,” explains Nayan Chanda, founding editor of YaleGlobal, in his column for the Times of India. Thunberg’s efforts began as a solitary protest before the Swedish Parliament building and eventually gained recognition at the United Nations. Wong has testified before Congress, asking that any trading privileges for Hong Kong require annual review and certification. Wong and Thunberg, worried about long-term security, make sacrifices with their activism and press fellow citizens to take stands on the greatest issues of our time. – YaleGlobal