What Concerns Teen Most

"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."— Mother Teresa

In today's episode, host Julia with new reporter Hanna talk about what concerns teens the most…mental health, the climate crisis, waste, eco-anxiety, and more. Julia dives into "doomism", doom-scrolling, and advocates for her generation that has lived through "historic" tragedies: terrorism, endless wars, "orange alert" paranoia, the 2008 financial crash, the pandemic, cost-of-living crises, natural disasters, and the climate emergency. Studies show empathy levels plummeted after 2000, but this generation of youth is pushing for political accountability. She believes that cynicism doesn't have to mean paralysis. Julia introduces our new reporter on Express Yourself Teen radio, Hanna.

Hanna's segment is called Political Philosophy, and in today's broadcast, she discusses upcycling, donating, and even selling secondhand. These aren't just eco-friendly actions, they're ways of living out our responsibility to others and to the future. Studies show that over 50% of young people say climate change makes them very worried, and almost half say it impacts their daily lives. Upcycling means taking something old or "useless" and transforming it into something new, valuable, or beautiful. Unlike recycling, it doesn't require breaking things down—it just reimagines them.

The U.S. generates 292 million tons of trash every year.
The fashion industry alone creates 92 million tons of textile waste.
Making a single cotton t-shirt takes 700 gallons of water.

Every time you upcycle—or even keep something in circulation instead of tossing it—you're saving resources and reducing harm. Hanna offers ways to make a difference.

In the final segment, Julia and Hanna engage in a conversation about moral obligations to to future generations, questions about justice, fairness, and responsibility to others globally, ways to live sustainably, and ethical responses to big problems like climate change.

 

Teens care about everything! Have hope!

 

 

Bio: Hanna Yu is a high school senior from the Bay Area who is passionate about political philosophy. She has conducted research with university professors, written articles, and presented her work at national symposiums.  Hanna is also a dancer, debater, and sculptor, whose work brings together art and political thought. In her spare time, Hanna pursues her passion for sustainable fashion by leading closet swaps and secondhand clothing sales.

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