Atlanta, a growing urban center in a traditionally conservative state, is seeing a rise in climate and environmental concerns, especially among younger voters and progressive groups. As a generation that has inherited an earth riddled with climate issues and been directly impacted by climate change, many Gen Z voters have expressed that climate change should be a more important issue on the ballot.
The direct impacts of climate change can often be felt locally. Recently, Hurricane Helene left flooding and power outages in her wake, and the Conyers lab fire sent chemicals into the air for miles. These effects can often have unjust outcomes. In Atlanta, low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately damaged by climate issues. Many have old infrastructure due to a lack of investment in these neighborhoods. Heavy storms, made worse by climate change, can put pressure on the outdated and faulty pipes and sewage systems of these communities, often causing sewage spills into neighborhoods and yards. The issue is not the amount of rain because most neighborhoods get the same; it is that low-income communities don’t have as much investment in infrastructure, which makes these problems worse. These are Atlanta-specific issues, and they require the attention of Atlanta’s voters.
Gen Z is stepping up and engaging in a lot of local youth-led activism. The New Georgia Project offers free rides to the polls for young voters, focusing their efforts on climate change awareness. The organization Fridays For Future holds youth-led climate strikes at the Georgia State Capitol. The Paideia Vote Alliance helps register students and advocates for voter activism and education.
