Key Takeaways:
– Young people, both in the United States and internationally, increasingly worry about the destabilizing impact of climate change.
– Climate anxiety is known to intersect with an ongoing mental health crisis among youth, contributing to depression, alienation, and suicide rates.
– Surveys indicate the majority of teenagers feel more apprehensive than confident about their environmental future.
– Climate change anxiety is also strong in other countries, as demonstrated by a global survey of 16-25-year-olds.
– Experts recommend including discussions about climate change in mental health screenings and counseling in pediatric settings.
– Parents and teachers can help reassure youth through open-ended conversations, encouraging environmental activities, and fostering civic engagement.
The Climate-Centric Emotional Turmoil For Youths
Climate change, with its record-shattering heatwaves, devastating wildfires, and catastrophic storms, is not just a physical concern. It is now emerging as a significantly underreported emotional burden on young people. While it is easy to see the manifestations of a changing climate, what’s less visible and less reported is the toll it’s taking on the emotional well-being of adolescents and young adults.
The pressing consequences of climate change, such as wildfires in California and persistent flooding brought on by monstrous storms, are sparking anxiety among the younger population. These worries don’t merely revolve around the immediate devastating effects but also extend to the uncertainty of future living conditions with an unpredictable and unstable climate.
Understanding Young People’s Anxiety Regarding Climate
Abby Rafeek, a 14-year-old high school student from Gardena, California, verbalizes the emotional strain many young people are undergoing. Fire-laden skies and the localized destruction and air pollution caused by wildfires have notably instilled a sense of distress in her. Abby is not alone in this; multiple studies indicate a significant proportion of young people are deeply concerned about the climate’s instability affecting their current living conditions and future prospects.
Pediatric emergency physician Rammy Assaf echoes this sentiment, observing that climate change severely impacts the emotional stability of young people. His observations stem from conducting an adapted climate change survey, originally intended for adults, on over 800 children aged 12-17 years. Based on the substantial response to the survey, Assaf advocates for including climate change questions in mental health screenings for children.
Factors Amplifying Youth Climate Anxiety
The resulting sense of helplessness and hopelessness that comes from brooding over extreme climate events and worrying about the planet’s future should not be dismissed. In addition to these feelings, there is also a strong sentiment of betrayal. Young people feel let down by their government for not addressing climate change with seriousness and sufficient action.
Indeed, a Harris Poll indicates that a decisive majority of young people are consistently thinking about the environment, with 82% expecting to make major life decisions based on environmental conditions. An equally alarming finding from a global survey of 10,000 16- to 25-year-olds is that 84% are at least moderately worried about climate change.
The heightened anxiety among young people ties into the broader mental health crisis, where there has been an uptick observed in cases of depression, loneliness, and suicide over the past decade. The feelings of worry and hopelessness are potent and can have serious implications for mental health.
Steps Towards Aiding Young People
To alleviate the mounting concern, accessibility to open spaces for expression becomes crucial. Experts advise parents and teachers to create opportunities for open-ended conversations regarding climate concerns. Equally important are family activities that signify a commitment to the environment; these could include everything from quiet nature walks to active engagement in cleanup or recycling initiatives.
Moreover, children should be motivated to participate in events and advocacy efforts by environmental, civic, or religious organizations. Collective action has the power to assuage feelings of loneliness and helplessness, providing young people with a much-needed sense of community and shared responsibility.
Environmental worries should be viewed as an educational opportunity, shaping some young people’s life paths towards activism, advocacy, or knowledge acquisition to bring about change. With the right perspectives and guidance, climate change anxiety can be a catalyst for proactive environmental action and a trigger for positive change.
In conclusion, the emotional toll of climate change on young people is real and significant. Recognizing this concern, fostering open communication, and nurturing proactive steps are essential to help them navigate their worries better, thereby ensuring more hopeful prospects for the future.