Many people across the nation were in shock on June 1 when Donald Trump formally announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord Agreement. More shockingly, was the fact that a decision regarding global warming that would affect all future generations to come, was decided by a 70-year-old man.

This example is, unfortunately, not an isolated incident, but rather a recurring theme in the political world. Elderly people dominate our state, federal and worldwide governments. According to Legistorm, the average age of U.S. Congressmen is 58 and the average age of U.S. Senators is 62. We can’t escape the copious amounts of old people in these positions of power, but if we are to be honest with ourselves, why should they be in power and represent such a miniscule fraction of America’s demographic?

One common grievance that of minors when it comes to our rights is the fact that minors can be tried as adults, but can not vote on the law to change that. The point of voting is to give the people a voice in the laws and regulations that dictate their lives, yet minors are robbed of that right just because they are under the age of 18. Whether you believe the age for voting should be lowered or not, it is hard not to admit the lack of interaction minors have with the government that determines whether they live or not is quite alarming, and something should be done.

Another grievance the youngest generation has, is the fact that many of these older politicians have the right to dispel the belief that global warming is real, when it is a problem that will affect the following generation, not them. Global warming is a problem that will take its effect over time, and with many of the elderly Congressmen currently in office, something that will take place after they are long gone is probably the least of their worries.

This is exactly why there needs to be more young people within Washington D.C. and our state capitals. Young representation in Congress is the only way we can ensure there are politicians with the younger generation’s welfare in their best interest.

Of course we respect our elders, which is something we were raised to do, but where is the respect towards our generation, and what we stand for as well? We are the future, and it is important that we have our rights to help make that future great. We may not have as much experience or knowledge yet, but knowledge comes with experience, and it needs to start now.