We the Young People Declare:

The American political system is not living up to its highest ideals. Our government is gridlocked and our citizenry is divided across party and cultural lines. Countless issues have arisen in the past decades that Generation Z and Millennials will be forced to contend with. Yet polarization prevents politicians and private actors from acting and the vast majority of Americans have been turned off by how toxic politics has grown. It feels like politics is failing our young people. 

But it does not have to be this way. As the most racially and ethnically diverse generations in American history, Gen Z and Millennials understand the intersections of identity and politics, and the need to find commonalities amid our differences. Millennial and Gen Z leaders are coming together to reclaim partisan issues as generational issues and demand constructive political engagement to address them. Climate change, diminishing economic mobility, and a weakening democracy have all grown more intense within our lifetimes. The proliferation of these problems threatens the prosperity of our generations. We the young people demand that bipartisan attention be paid to them and that solutions be developed.

We envision a future that works for every American and leaves no one behind, no matter their race, their gender, their economic status, or their geographic location. This vision for our future will help to mend our social fabric and build a culture that is tolerant, empathetic, and grounded in the highest ideals of our constitution. 

Climate change is happening— 97% of climate scientists across the globe and America’s young people across the aisle agree. The cleanliness of our air and our water, and the way we live our lives is at stake. We are responsible for the safety and security of our future, and we have to act with urgency to address a problem that can affect every aspect of society. But our political system has not addressed the threat of climate change.

Economic mobility is diminishing. Millenials and Gen Z are projected to be the first generations to be worse off than our parents. Youth in minority communities, rural communities and countless other communities struggle to make ends meet. Our economic futures are not as bright as the American Dream has promised for centuries. But our political system has not addressed the lack of economic mobility.

Democracy’s weakening has exacerbated our country’s inability to contend with any problem. A functioning democracy requires both responsive institutions and an active citizenry. Institutional failures such as corrupt politicians, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and more have made it difficult for our governments to translate public opinion into policy. High levels of political polarization and a lack of common purpose is weakening our civic culture. But our political system has not addressed our democracy’s problems.

Young people recognize that climate change, economic mobility, and a weakening democracy are all interconnected. Climate change will have adverse effects on our economy, and addressing climate change now can produce new and sustainable jobs. Underpinning both climate and economy are weakening democratic institutions and a fraying civic fabric. To achieve progress on the challenges facing all Americans, we need a strong democracy defined by a responsive government and an active citizenry.

We the Young People see a future where climate change is mitigated, where everyone has the opportunity to prosper economically, and where our democracy lives up to its fullest potential. We the Young People demand change to reach a better future because the American ideals have always aspired towards progress, liberty, and opportunity.