Let’s be real.

When most of us hear “politics,” we immediately tune out.

It feels far away, full of people in suits arguing over stuff we’re not even sure affects us. But sometimes, it does. Sometimes, political decisions are exactly what shapes our future. That’s why the growing partnership between the U.S. and Canada on climate change actually matters and not just in a vague “adult world” kind of way, but in a real, tangible, this-could-affect-our-lives kind of way.

So here’s what’s happening: earlier this year, President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau extended something called the Energy Transformation Task Force. Sounds super official, but it’s basically a group effort between both countries to build a cleaner, more sustainable future. They’re teaming up to boost renewable energy, expand electric vehicle charging stations, and even invest in minerals needed for clean technology, stuff like EV batteries and solar panels.

It might seem like it doesn’t have anything to do with us, but it does. Big time.

The past couple of years, we truly have seen and felt the effects of climate change all around us. From heat waves, wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, and even sea level rise. We as a community have experienced some sort of effect from climate change. Some of us have even lived through evacuations or lost power during storms. Climate change isn’t some far-off possibility anymore; it’s our everyday reality. That’s why this kind of international teamwork is a big deal. When two major countries align on climate goals and actually take action, it sets the stage for meaningful change.

And it’s not just about saving the planet in the abstract. It’s about what this means for our generation. These clean energy plans? They’re creating jobs. Real ones. By the time we graduate and start looking for careers, the green economy is going to be a massive part of the job market. Everything from engineering to communication to environmental science is going to be reshaped by this push toward sustainability. It’s kind of exciting to think that the same climate action that helps the planet also opens doors for us professionally.

There’s also been more support for youth involvement lately, which is something I think is often overlooked. In 2024, a new program launched across North America to support young environmental leaders. That means teens and college students, people like us, are getting mentorship and funding to work on real solutions. It’s easy to feel like we are too young to make a difference or feel like we need to do anything, but the truth is that we are being invited to make a difference. This generation has to live with the consequences but so do our children and our children’s children.

With that said, it’s not all that easy. The U.S. and Canada still disagree on many things that involve climate change. One of those things is pipelines. The Line 5 pipeline is one of the issues that has debates around whether it should stay open or be shut down to protect the environment. This shows allies that they will not always agree but they also prove how important it is to keep talking, compromising, and finding common good. That is what partnership means.

We also do not have to wait on governments to fix everything to make a difference. Change starts at every level. You can join an environmental club, organize a beach cleanup, cut down on single-use plastics, or even just learn more about climate change and policy. These small actions add up and eventually they will create a culture where caring about the earth is normal and not niche.

It’s easy to feel useless when it comes to change. In reality we all have that idea of what can a bunch of high schoolers actually do to make a difference and stop the world from burning? But I genuinely believe our generation is different. We’re aware. We’re vocal. We care. And that makes us powerful. The more we speak up, the more pressure there is for leaders to actually do something. And honestly, they are because we’re starting to show them that we’re paying attention.

So yeah, maybe a U.S.-Canada climate task force isn’t the flashiest news headline. But it is a reminder that people are trying. And that we should too. Because this isn’t just about politics. It’s about our health, our jobs, our futures. And whether we’re ready or not, this is the world we’re going to inherit. We might as well help build it.