Rising Temperatures, Diminishing Interest: Why Students Are Losing Engagement in Climate Change Issues – Insights from Algonquin Times

In the fall of 2023, Stephanie Taylor, a new journalism student, launched the Algonquin College Environmental Society. She started it to make friends and promote sustainability on campus.

With just enough members to become an official club, they kicked off their first event in November: a pop-up “free store.” Students could donate unwanted clothes and household items. They could also pick up free items they could use.

“We got some donations, but a lot of what we had left over ended up at a thrift store,” Taylor said. “Not many people came, but I was still happy with the turnout.”

Sadly, the club didn’t ignite much interest among students. Their first event was also their last.

“We were trying to raise awareness, but whenever we approached others, many seemed uninterested,” Taylor noted.

Though a few students joined, they quickly got busy with classes, leaving the Environmental Society to fade away by the next term.

Now, two years later, the spot for an environmental club remains empty, with little interest from students to revive it.

“I used to care a lot. I was passionate about waste management, but then I lost interest,” said Kalev Bailey, a horticulture student.

Bailey has noticed that conversations about climate change only happen when big events occur. “It usually comes up when something major happens, like a species going extinct, but then it fades from focus,” he said.

A recent survey by Abacus Data found that only 15% of Canadians consider climate change a top concern, down from earlier times. This suggests a growing feeling that climate issues are no longer urgent for many.

Bailey feels climate change is significant but doesn’t see its effects in his daily life, so he doesn’t think about it much.

Jacob Griffin, an electrical engineering student, shares similar views. “Climate change is serious, but it often gets ignored because it’s not constantly in the news,” he said.

While he can’t commit to a school club, Griffin makes an effort to be environmentally conscious. “I reuse my Ziploc bags and only buy soap refill packs instead of new dispensers,” he explained. “These might seem small, but every bit counts.”

Taylor’s goal in starting the Environmental Society was to encourage her peers towards sustainability. She believes that while individual actions matter, there should also be more initiatives from policymakers to reduce our environmental footprint.

“The government often shifts the responsibility to individuals. But we should be pushing for more significant change,” she said. “Our current system is flawed, prioritizing consumption without regard for the planet.”

Yet, joining an environmental club isn’t the only way students can foster change. “Once you understand the impact of your choices, you can begin to make better decisions,” Taylor shared. “It’s simpler than many think.”

Awareness and small steps can lead to bigger changes in how we interact with our environment. Engaging with sustainability doesn’t need to be tied to formal club participation—it can start wherever we are.

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