Menilai Partisipasi Gen Z: Sudut Pandang Keadilan Sosial dan Kelestarian Alam Sekitar

Assessing Gen Z's Participation: Perspectives on Social Justice and Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

ABSTRAK

Artikel ini mengkaji perbincangan dalam kalangan Generasi Z (Gen Z) di Malaysia tentang perspektif global dalam keadilan sosial dan kelestarian alam sekitar. Sebagai generasi yang paling muda dan berbilang kaum, Gen Z mula mempengaruhi perbincangan antarabangsa dan mencabar norma politik konvensional. Isu-isu global seperti ketidaksamaan jantina, hak asasi manusia dan ketidakadilan antara kaum mungkin tidak menjadi keutamaan atau kepentingan bagi generasi terdahulu, namun hal ini telah menimbulkan kesukaran bagi rakyat Malaysia untuk mencapai perpaduan nasional. Selain itu, isu-isu alam sekitar sering dianggap sebagai tabu dan tidak penting oleh kebanyakan masyarakat. Oleh sebab itu, Malaysia berada pada ranking ke-130 daripada 180 buah negara dalam Indeks Prestasi Alam Sekitar (EPI) 2022. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji bagaimana Gen Z di Malaysia memahami isu-isu tersebut dan dengan menggunakan metodologi kuantitatif, data telah dikumpulkan melalui instrumen soal selidik dalam talian ke atas golongan Gen Z yang berusia 19 hingga 24 tahun. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa Gen Z memberi penekanan yang tinggi terhadap isu-isu global seperti keadilan sosial, inklusiviti dan kelestarian alam sekitar. Selain itu, kajian ini juga menunjukkan bagaimana Gen Z boleh memberi impak yang berkekalan pada kesedaran global dan bagaimana pemimpin dan institusi politik perlu menyesuaikan kehendak dan jangkaan terkini masyarakat terutamanya golongan Gen Z.

Kata kunci: Gen Z, keadilan sosial, kelestarian alam sekitar, Indeks Prestasi Alam Sekitar (EPI),

ABSTRACT

This article examines the discussion among Generation Z (Gen Z) in Malaysia regarding global perspectives in social justice and environmental sustainability. As the youngest and most diverse generation, Gen Z is starting to exert its influence on intercontinental discourse and challenging the traditional political norms. Global issues such as gender inequality, basic human rights and racial exclusivity may not be at the forefront of older generation’s concerns or priorities which has created an internal struggle for Malaysia to achieve national unity. On top of that, environmental issues are often regarded as taboo and insignificant among the society members. Consequently, Malaysia has been ranked 130th out of 180 countries in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index (EPI). This study aims to examine how Malaysia's Gen Z perceives such issues and by employing quantitative methodology, the data was gathered through online questionnaires instruments of Gen Z participants, who ranged in age from 19 to 24. The findings suggest that Gen Z places a high importance on global issues such as social justice, inclusivity and environmental sustainability. In addition, this study demonstrate how Gen Z may have a long-lasting impact on global awareness and how political leaders and institutions must adapt to the latest wants and expectations of society, especially Gen Z.

Keywords: Gen Z, social justice, environmental sustainability, Environmental Performance Index (EPI),