Is Gen Z More Green? Exploring the Eco-Consciousness of a Generation

What Does "Being Green" Even Mean These Days?

Before we dive in, let's clear one thing up: “being green” isn’t just about hugging trees. It’s a full package now—climate awareness, sustainable shopping, voting for green policies, recycling, avoiding fast fashion, the whole eco-friendly lifestyle thing. For Gen Z, it’s often more of an identity than a choice. But... are they really walking the walk?

Gen Z vs. Other Generations: Is There Proof?

The data speaks (sort of)

Several surveys suggest Gen Z is more environmentally conscious than Gen X or Boomers. According to a 2023 Pew study, about 76% of Gen Z say climate change is a top priority. For comparison, only around 52% of Boomers agreed with that. That’s a noticeable gap.

But hang on—does caring equal action?

When it comes to behavior, things get more complicated. A 2022 Deloitte survey showed that while nearly 90% of Gen Z respondents said they’re trying to reduce their environmental impact, only about 1 in 4 consistently avoids fast fashion or buys local. So yeah... there’s a bit of a gap between ideals and habits.

Eco-activism: A Signature Move of Gen Z?

From hashtags to street protests

Let’s not forget, Gen Z grew up in the age of Fridays for Future, Greta Thunberg, and climate marches being livestreamed on TikTok. They're loud, organized, and pretty savvy when it comes to digital activism. They've got eco-anxiety, sure—but they're turning it into action.

That said, not everyone’s chaining themselves to trees. Some are just... resharing infographics. Which isn't bad, but hey—it’s not exactly policy-changing stuff.

Individual choices vs. systemic change

Gen Z talks a lot about the need for systemic change, and they’re not wrong. Many in this generation push back against the idea that buying a bamboo toothbrush will save the planet. Their argument? It's not just about consumer choices—it’s about holding corporations and governments accountable.

Tbh, they’ve got a point. But then again, refusing a plastic straw still counts, right?

Consumption Habits: Greener or Just... Different?

Fast fashion contradiction

Here’s the twist: Gen Z also loves cheap clothes. Like, SHEIN-level love. Which kind of flies in the face of the eco-friendly image. The fast fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters, and Gen Z is a major customer base.

But! Thrifting has also exploded among Gen Z. Apps like Depop, Vinted, and Poshmark are booming. A lot of them mix secondhand and fast fashion, which might seem contradictory—but hey, that’s humans for you.

Tech and energy use

They're also the most digitally connected generation, which means a bigger carbon footprint from data use, cloud storage, etc. But Gen Z is also more likely to use smart devices and apps that monitor energy use. It's a bit of a trade-off situation.

Honestly? It's messy. But real life often is.

Is Gen Z Pushing Businesses to Be Greener?

The pressure is on

Brands know Gen Z is watching. Many companies are shifting their messaging, hopping on the "sustainable" train—some genuinely, others for PR (yeah, greenwashing is still a thing). But there’s no denying it: this generation is forcing the market to evolve.

One of my friends works in digital marketing for a skincare brand and told me their entire 2024 campaign was restructured to highlight eco-packaging and climate-neutral shipping—because of Gen Z feedback in reviews and DMs.

That’s real power.

Final Thoughts: So... Is Gen Z Actually More Green?

Short answer? Kinda, yeah.

Longer answer? Gen Z is more vocal, more aware, and definitely more demanding when it comes to environmental issues. But they’re also just people—full of contradictions, budget constraints, and occasional apathy. They care deeply, but they’re still figuring out what action really means.

So no, they’re not perfect. But they might just be the greenest generation so far—and that counts for something.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.