In its ongoing series on millennials, NPR visits a three-generation family; all are environmentally-oriented, but the youngest refuses to label herself as an environmentalist even though she got upset when her boyfriend's family did not compost.
Born between 1980 and 2000, "(m)illennials are more likely than other generations to believe that humans are responsible for climate change," states Chris Benderev in this radio report (with text) that is part of NPR's New Boom series on millennials in America. Just think twice before calling them environmentalists, regardless of how environmentally-oriented their lifestyles may be.
A Pew Research Center poll earlier this year asked participants if they felt the term "environmentalist" describes them very well. Over 40 percent of respondents said yes, except when it came to millennials. Just 32 percent of them agreed. That might not seem substantial, but Pew says it's statistically significant.
Benderev's reporting suggests that 'environmentalist' may be more of a generational term—one that the parents and grandparents of millennials would be comfortable using but millennials may be uncomfortable with.
Lisa Curtis, the young composter, offered a reason.
"It's starting to be used more in a derogatory way," she says. "Oh you're such an environmentalist. You're not in touch with the real world."
Curtis also penned her own opinion piece on this topic for Grist in 2012. My apologies to Ms. Curtis for my re-using the title of that piece.
[Hat tip to Sierra Club California for discussing this radio report at their fall meeting in San Luis Obispo, California]
FULL STORY: Millennials: We Help The Earth But Don't Call Us Environmentalists

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions