Three Generations, One Planet

Different generations. Same questions. One shared planet.

How do different generations view the environment? Does age shape the way we think about nature, sustainability, and our responsibility toward the planet?

In this interview, I invited people from different generations to answer the same five questions. By comparing their perspectives, I hope to explore how environmental values evolve over time while highlighting the shared hopes that connect us all.

Meet the Interviewees

Interviewee 1

Name: Eve

Age: 17

Occupation: High School Student

Interviewee 2

Name: Claire

Age: 47

Occupation: Manager

Interviewee 3

Name: Nick

Age: 78

Occupation: Retired Teacher

Interview

1. What's your earliest memory of nature?

Eve

"My earliest memory of nature is when I was little, my parents took me on car trips, I looked out and saw mountains, trees, and rivers beyond the fences of the highways."

Claire

"My neighbors used to have pigs in their yards, and my friends and I used to hang out on the small hill behind our homes. "

Nick

"The first thing that comes to mind is the sounds of birds and insects chirping and squeaking. There used to be Cicadidaes chirping when summer started coming around, but it became less common over time, especially after all these buildings were built."

2. What environmental issue concerns you the most today, and why?

Eve

"I don't have a specific topic that concerns me, but if I have to think of one, probably water pollution."

Claire

"I think it's the air pollution. Air pollution is really invisible and small, so it may get into our skin and damage the skin."

Nick

"Probably the air pollution, because the way many countries, including Taiwan, use thermal power to generate electricity is extremely bad for the environment.

3. What's one thing you think everyone could do to help the environment?

Eve

"Stop throwing litter everywhere."

Claire

"Bring your own bottles."

Nick

"Engage in climate-related policy discussions."

4. Do you think enough is being done to protect the environment?

Eve

"Definitely not, because the temperature of the ocean is still rising, and climate change is still obviously happening."

Claire

"I think it will never be enough, because there will always be trash being produced, and if people can't find a way to deal with all this trash, the problem will remain unsolved."

Nick

"I don't think it's enough, the ratio of people protecting the environment to the people producing waste is not balanced. That means not enough people care about the environment. If people can be more aware of the environmental issues, this might change."

5. How has your perspective on the environment changed over the years?

Eve

"When I was little, I believed in how one's actions can change the world. But as I grew up, I realized that one's strength is not enough to make massive changes, and that thought almost made me quit. But looking at the place I live and all these animals and insects around me, I still want to make changes, no matter how small they are."

Claire

"As I become older, I realize how rare the scenarios from my childhood are becoming. It seems like the number of buildings is multiplying, and even though I also work and live in buildings and benefit from technologies, that still makes me really sad."

Nick

"I used to think nature would always be there for us, because half of my life, I've been spending time in nature, or with nature. I used to catch fish from the river with my hands when I was little, and plant fruits and vegetables in our garden with my grandmother. But as time passes, I have learned how all these things may no longer happen."

The first two questions reveal how both people's experiences and the world around them have changed over time. Nick remembers a childhood filled with birdsong, cicadas, rivers, and gardens, experiences that were part of everyday life. Claire recalls playing outdoors on hills near her home, while Eve's earliest memory is of viewing nature from a car window, separated by highways and fences. Together, these memories reflect a gradual shift from living closely alongside nature to experiencing it from a greater distance.

Their environmental concerns also illustrate how priorities have evolved across generations. While all three interviewees recognize environmental problems, their reasons are shaped by what they have witnessed throughout their lives. Nick connects air pollution to energy production and decades of industrial development. Claire worries about the hidden effects of air pollution on human health, while Eve focuses on the broader environmental challenges facing her generation. That doesn't mean Eve cares less about the environment; she simply has fewer direct experiences with the natural surroundings. Although their perspectives differ, they all point to the same reality: environmental issues have become increasingly complex and visible over time.

Despite growing up in different eras, all three interviewees agree that more must be done to protect the environment. Their stories remind us that while the world has changed significantly across generations, the responsibility to care for it is one that we all share.