Nia Thomas
Research by Bath University has found that young people are suffering from “eco-anxiety” due to government in-action on climate change.
The largest scientific study of its kind, has found that climate change anxiety is effecting the daily lives and mental wellbeing of young people.
The survey, interviewing 10,000 16-25 year-olds across 10 countries, found nearly 60% of young people feel “very worried” or “extremely worried” about the environment. Additionally, 45% of young people identify that eco-anxiety affects their daily lives.
Three-quarters of respondents were found to be frightened by the future, and more than half believe humanity to be “doomed”.
While two-thirds reportedly feel sad, afraid and anxious – as well as fearful and angry – some do feel hope.
Government Action and Inaction on Eco-Anxiety
“Broken promises and inaction coupled with the enormity of the climate crisis are all beginning to take their toll on children’s mental health.”
Caroline Hickman of Bath’s Department of Social & Policy Sciences and the Climate Psychology Alliance was co-author of the study.
She explains: “Talking to children about climate change gives a fresh perspective on the absurdity of doing so little about the climate emergency and also highlights for young people the troubling disconnect between what politicians say and what they do.”
“On the one hand, the UK Parliament votes for a climate emergency, whilst on the other it votes to expand an airport.”
“In Brazil, scientists conclude that the Amazon is the world’s best store for climate-warming CO2, yet large swathes of it are burned deliberately to make room for methane-belching cattle. And in Australia, despite warnings, a vast coal mine gets approved near the Great Barrier Reef.”
“Broken promises and inaction coupled with the enormity of the climate crisis are all beginning to take their toll on children’s mental health.”
The study concludes that it is up to governments to respond to this eco-anxiety, to “protect the mental health of children and young people by engaging in ethical, collective, policy-based action against climate change.”
Image Courtesy of Markus Spiske on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to the image.
Nia Thomas
Nia is a Gender Studies Masters student at the University of Sussex. Having recently graduated with a degree in Political Science, she is keenly interested in current affairs and stories concerning equality and diversity. Away from writing, she is an avid reader and lover of reality TV.