“We all have a say in the environment discussion”: Interview with the chairman of The Icelandic Young Environmentalist Association, Tinna Hallgrímsdóttir

Translation: Victoria Bakshina

Over the past few years climate anxiety has come up a lot in public discussions and it has been described as a compound feeling, which includes anxiety, worries or uncertainty because of rapid climate change. Studies show that climate anxiety affects young people especially, and many readers are undoubtedly familiar with the term or have even experienced it first-hand. Climate anxiety can lead to defenselessness or can cause young people to feel like the entire responsibility is resting on their shoulders, which is not the case. But how are we supposed to react if we experience climate anxiety - and where can we look for help?

The Student Paper spoke with Tinna Hallgrímsdóttir, the chairperson of the Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association, about climate anxiety, activism and how we can contribute to environmental issues.

Mynd: Mandana Emad

Young people fear for their future

Environmental issues affect the future of us all, and therefore it is not surprising that they are among the issues which are most important for young people. Through her work at  the Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association Tinna has become aware of many who suffer from climate anxiety, even children in primary school. “We see that young people gather every Friday for a climate meeting because they fear for their future and want to improve it. This is an issue that young people are very concerned about.“

Government, companies and capital owners are responsible

Climate anxiety is often accompanied by confusion: we feel like we're not environmentally friendly enough, or that our contribution does not matter. When we experience such helplessness, it can be helpful to talk with others who share the same concerns or participate in organized social activities on a board with The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association. Then, it is also important to remember that the responsibility lies not only with the individuals, but also with the government, along with companies and capital owners. Tinna emphasizes this. “If all our energy goes into thinking about our own consumption then we will not manage to call for a real change. Interest monitoring is of great importance, for example, through political movements or NGOs such as The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association. So it is also possible to have an impact by making a stink on social media, writing articles or sending reviews about the bills submitted to Parliament through the Samráðsgáttin - a consultation portal. “This is no less influential than changing one’s own lifestyle. “People don't need to feel as if the world is going to perish if their lifestyle is not one hundred percent environmentally friendly. We do not need to dump the whole responsibility onto ourselves. What matters is to have influence beyond us.“

One does not need to hold a PhD in environmental studies to have an opinion

Tinna encourages everyone who is interested in environmental issues or suffers from the climate anxiety to not be afraid of speaking up. “What stops young people – and especially young women – from participating in environmental issues, is that they often feel like they need to be experts in this domain in order to express themselves. But it is just not like that at all. We are young people and have the right to let other people know how we feel about our own future. One does not need to have a PhD in environmental studies to have an opinion. “We all have a say in discussions about the environment.”

Everyone can participate

The activities of The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association are manifold and often multilateral. Their projects are diverse, and it is good to have as many hands on board as possible. “There must, of course, be someone to stand up there on the stage and go for interviews, but we also need someone to develop a website, design graphics, supervise translations, proofread texts, look for sources, and so on. So we can all join in the fight in our own way.” The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association puts great emphasis on accessibility, and Tinna says that everyone is welcome to join the association. “We encourage everyone who has the slightest interest in participating to be unafraid of contacting us. One can always contact us directly with questions or any thoughts. “

 The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association operates their own climate committee, environment protection committee, circular economy committee and promotion-and education committee. The work of The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association takes place in these committees. Anyone can be registered into these committees; a registration form is available on the website of The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association. “It is best to register in order to participate in the work directly, it takes three seconds and costs nothing. We have a website where you can monitor our activities, but the work will be largely carried out through committees. You can participate in any committee that you like and in whatever that is going on. “

Important to find a positive platform for anxiety

Tinna is now sitting on the board of The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association for the fourth year in a row. She says that it’s important that we find a positive platform for the feelings that we experience because of the climate anxiety. “Then it is important to talk with the people around us and to not hide these feelings inside.“ The Icelandic Youth Environmentalist Association is intended to be a community where one can discuss this problem and to have a positive impact on the situation. Tinna says it is valuable to monitor the results and find that one can affect the outcomes. “This is just so amazing. Both to be able to change social dialogue, but also to be able to talk with young people and empower them. When you start and feel that you are influencing something in real life in many ways, then it is just not possible to stop, this is so much fun. “