Young people’s climate change anxiety

The majority of young people are filled with anxiety over climate change, a worldwide study suggests.

A study based on surveys of 10,000 children and young people found that 77% thought the future was frightening and nearly six in 10 said they were extremely worried about climate change.

More than half said they had felt afraid, sad, anxious, powerless, helpless and/or guilty, and 45% said their concerns negatively affected their daily life.

Young people also feel governments are failing them, betraying future generations, lying about the impacts of actions taken on climate change and dismissing people’s distress about the issue.

Caroline Hickman, from Bath University and a co-leader of the study, said the results showed a “horrific” problem.

She said: “This study paints a horrific picture of widespread climate anxiety in our children and young people.

“It suggests for the first time that high levels of psychological distress in youth is linked to government inaction.

“Our children’s anxiety is a completely rational reaction given the inadequate responses to climate change they are seeing from governments.

“What more do governments need to hear to take action.”

Dr Liz Marks, co-lead author on the study, said: “It’s shocking to hear so many young people from around the world feel betrayed.

“Now is the time to face the truth, listen to young people, and take urgent action against climate change.”

The study, under peer review for publication in the Lancet Planetary Health, collected data from 10,000 young people aged 16-25, online through research platform Kantar.