Young people. 

The loud, rambunctious, opinionated demographic of modern-day society. 

Have you ever met a young person passionate about sustainable, renewable, and green energy? I promise you would remember them; they are a whirlwind of enthusiasm. 

As someone who grew up “green”, I’ve been around industry folks for a long time - productive, long-time members of the movement who have taught me and shaped my growth. I’ve also matured in the company of young outspoken voices in the community. 

I’ve learned in recent years that young people will bring the drilling industry to another level.

As a less technical representative of the industry, I have noticed this trend in my peers. I see people my age, in their twenties and thirties, entering this space with the energy of race horses. 

The industry’s focus is on technical aspects, the massively important nitty-gritty of what we do, the bones of what we do. I, however, as the emotional writer that I am, find myself constantly returning to the heart of it; saving the world.

I love this industry, I love learning the technical side, and yet when I look at the big picture of it, I see people doing something amazing and productive as a unit, even when we can’t agree on everything. 

Though exact percentages can vary by region and study, surveys and studies from UNICEF's "The Climate Crisis: A Child Rights Crisis" report and "Generation Z: Climate Change and the Future" by the Pew Research Center indicate that a significant portion of youth express concern about climate change.  

• Data shows that 60-70% of young people (ages 16-25) globally are concerned about climate change and its impacts. This often inspires activism. I have seen many young people participating in climate strikes, advocacy, and sustainability initiatives. I, myself, have contributed to these causes and events. 

One of the roadblocks I have encountered is a lack of information on certain technologies, youth focusing on solar, wind, recycling, and so on, but they know little to nothing about geothermal energy. 

It’s incredible to see the potential dawn on motivated young people when they begin to understand the potential of the “always on” factor of geothermal. The possibilities come to them quickly when they learn about thermal energy networks (TENs) and the influence they can have on helping low-income, underprivileged, and indigenous communities specifically. 

They care. They care so much that they will take time, often unpaid, and speak on it. I have seen them make it a point of conversation in casual settings, write about it on social media, and continuously make it a part of their entire personality. If the future of green energy is seeking a host, it’s there. 

There is a wave of people my age going to school motivated by a passion for what we do. Engineers, geologists, political scientists, everything that can be done to contribute has become a vital part of their journey toward what they see as saving the world. 

There is a trickling of people in their twenties to thirties, fresh out of college, green as can be, stepping into the industry as others age out and retire. It’s going to get loud, but it’s going to be productive and the dynamic will shift until passion becomes central to the industry.

I believe that investment in the youth starting very young is going to change not only the industry, but the world. I watch my three-year-old son immerse himself in the coloring pages from the Egg Geo website, the incredible children’s book “Our Hidden Powers” by Kristina Hagström-Ilievska, and simple videos explaining the basics of green and sustainable energy. 

That is the future. He is the future.

All I can ask for is for people to look and see, to recognize the potential of the rising generation.

I will not deny the allegations of being a radical whirlwind youngster infiltrating the industry, I’m actually quite proud of my ability to ruffle feathers, because people are listening.

Start with me, a young person with a voice, I care about and love geothermal with all my heart, it’s been central to my life for fifteen years and I’ve worked hard to be heard.