How does climate change affect youth mental health?
Climate change is a major problem and its impacts are becoming more apparent. As its effects intensify, it is today’s children and young people who will suffer the worst consequences. How do they feel about this?
This article explores the emotions experienced by youth in relation to climate change and the profound implications of these feelings.
We are the last generation who can stop climate change. We can and we will.
Khishigjargal, 24, Mongolia
The younger generation, commonly called “Generation Z” or “Climate Warriors,” has grown up in a world where the looming danger of climate change is ever-present. They are acutely aware of the potential repercussions, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, species extinction, and limited resources. As a result, they frequently experience high levels of anxiety regarding their future.
How do young people feel about climate change?
Many young people struggle with a sense of powerlessness regarding climate change. While they recognise the importance of the problem, they often feel marginalised in decision-making processes. Despite their passion and activism, they may perceive a lack of agency to effect meaningful change. This frustration, anger, and disillusionment can be overwhelming for some youth.
The impact of climate change on the environment can be devastating, leaving young people grieving for the loss of natural landscapes, biodiversity, and the potential loss of their own future. Witnessing the destruction of ecosystems and the suffering of vulnerable communities can deeply affect their emotional well-being. This collective grief weighs heavily, resulting in feelings of sadness, helplessness, and despair.
How can young people take action?
Despite the negative emotions associated with climate change, many young people harness their concerns as motivation for proactive action. They become advocates for sustainability and environmental justice, participating in protests, grassroots initiatives, and leveraging social media platforms to raise awareness. Taking action empowers them and instils hope for a better future.
“If we put together all the knowledge systems that we have — science, technology, traditional knowledge — we can give the best of us to protect our peoples, to protect our planet, to restore the ecosystem that we are losing.”
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT)
In the face of emotional turmoil, young people find solace in community and collective actions. By connecting with like-minded individuals, they create support networks that offer emotional strength and resilience. Sharing experiences, ideas, and solutions helps combat feelings of isolation and fosters hope for a sustainable and equitable future.
Take Greta Thunberg, for example. In 2018, this 15-year-old Swede gave birth to a global movement of school-age children and young people demanding that governments step up their action against climate change. Millions of young people are now demonstrating to show their support.
Whether in the fields of education, technology, science or law, young people from all walks of life are mobilising their skills to take a stand in favour of climate action.
Climate change has a big emotional impact on the society, especially on young people. They can feel anxious, scared, sad, and powerless, and these feelings are important and need to be taken seriously. But it’s also inspiring to see how strong and determined some young people and militants are in facing this crisis. If we listen to their worries, support their activism, and include them in climate actions, we can make the world more inclusive and sustainable. This will help them hold onto their hope for a better future.
About this article
This article has been written by a student on the Grenoble Ecole de Management’s Advanced Masters in Digital Strategy Management. As part of a content creation assignment, students are given the task of writing articles based on their digital interests and disseminating the articles online. Articles are marked but we make minimal changes to the content. Thanks for reading! James Barisic, Programme Director, MS DSM.
