Teenage climate activists on speaking truth to power

Rise up — A new portrait project from photographer Harry Rose sees young UK activists revealing what they’d say to ruling figures given the chance – and how they’d stress the severity of the climate emergency.

After attending a series of climate protests in 2019, photographer Harry Rose was struck by the boundless energy of the movement – particularly in regards to the teenagers spearheading it.

“I was taken back by the young people leading the marches and raising their voices,” he recalls. “Turning 30 in lockdown made me want to re-focus on the generation below me and celebrate both their passion and courage, but provide a space for them to be seen and heard out of the protest environment.” 

The resulting project, Climate Generation, sees him capturing intimate portraits of the UK’s teen activists, during a time when much of the emphasis on physical action has been refocused as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mass gatherings.

In an excerpt from the series, featured below, Rose asks a number of young people what they’d say to the people in power given the chance, in a bid to stress the importance of the climate emergency. 

Destiny Boka Batesa (17)


“Two words. Wake up. Climate change is real. You have the power to make a real change and save so many lives, including your own precious little families. I would kneel and beg for the government to make solid policies on climate change, especially to the Global South. I know the UK has a lot to owe to the rest of the world, and they could contribute to climate justice. There’s only so much we can do and their cooperation and influence mean we could save the world. Climate justice is not a battle to be fought alone.” 

Martha Gazzard (17)


More than 150,000 people are dying annually due to climate change, with some scientists arguing that this number could be more than triple that of the confirmed statistics. By continuing to underfund climate change related issues, you are giving them less weight and directly causing more deaths. Are you comfortable having that blood on your hands?”

Cyrus Jarvis (17)


“I’d rather they would listen to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, or the people of Kiribati, who are already experiencing the effects of climate change and losing their homes because of the carelessness of our politicians.”

Elijah Mckenzie-Jackson (16)


“I would say nothing but instead, hand them the IPCC report. That is all the answers needed.”

Joy Oluwapelumi Anuoluwa Akintan (19)


“You guys need to get your shit together, this is not about how much money you have or your status; we will all be affected, maybe not at the same time or in the same way. Some are experiencing it now some have been for a long time, it’s inevitable but we can at least try now to slow down the effects.”

Noga Levy-Rapoport (18)


“I don’t think it’s our responsibility to emphasise the seriousness of climate change. Those in power are well aware of how urgent it is – they have more access to information about the climate emergency than you or I do. They get how important it is. If I could, I’d like to look them in the eye and ask them how they sleep at night, knowing that their inaction has directly caused, and will continue to cause, the suffering of the most vulnerable in our society. I’d ask them if they’re capable of empathy, because everyone who is knows that we have to act now to prevent further disaster. Then I’d ask them why they should be anywhere near power if they’re incapable of acting urgently and caring about the greatest catastrophe of our time.”

Sachin Dadhra (16)


“I’m not actually sure what I could say that would mean anything. They have ignored the voices of young people collectively rising up telling them that we need to tackle the crisis for years. If they haven’t understood by now that they need to do something urgently, then I don’t understand what else we can tell them that will make them understand the need to act now.”

See more of Harry Rose’s work on his official website, or follow him on Instagram

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


Ad

Latest on Huck

Crowd of silhouetted people at a nighttime event with colourful lighting and a bright spotlight on stage.
Music

Clubbing is good for your health, according to neuroscientists

We Become One — A new documentary explores the positive effects that dance music and shared musical experiences can have on the human brain.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Indoor skate park with ramps, riders, and abstract architectural elements in blue, white, and black tones.
Sport

In England’s rural north, skateboarding is femme

Zine scene — A new project from visual artist Juliet Klottrup, ‘Skate Like a Lass’, spotlights the FLINTA+ collectives who are redefining what it means to be a skater.

Written by: Zahra Onsori

Black-and-white image of two men in suits, with the text "EVERYTHING IS COMPUTER" in large bright yellow letters overlaying the image.
Culture

Donald Trump says that “everything is computer” – does he have a point?

Huck’s March dispatch — As AI creeps increasingly into our daily lives and our attention spans are lost to social media content, newsletter columnist Emma Garland unpicks the US President’s eyebrow-raising turn of phrase at a White House car show.

Written by: Emma Garland

A group of people, likely children, sitting around a table surrounded by various comic books, magazines, and plates of food.
© Michael Jang
Culture

How the ’70s radicalised the landscape of photography

The ’70s Lens — Half a century ago, visionary photographers including Nan Goldin, Joel Meyerowitz and Larry Sultan pushed the envelope of what was possible in image-making, blurring the boundaries between high and low art. A new exhibition revisits the era.

Written by: Miss Rosen

Silhouette of person on horseback against orange sunset sky, with electricity pylon in foreground.
Culture

The inner-city riding club serving Newcastle’s youth

Stepney Western — Harry Lawson’s new experimental documentary sets up a Western film in the English North East, by focusing on a stables that also functions as a charity for disadvantaged young people.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Couple sitting on ground in book-filled environment
Culture

The British intimacy of ‘the afters’

Not Going Home — In 1998, photographer Mischa Haller travelled to nightclubs just as their doors were shutting and dancers streamed out onto the streets, capturing the country’s partying youth in the early morning haze.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to stay informed from the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, with personal takes on the state of media and pop culture in your inbox every month from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.