Climate Anxiety: How Younger Generations Are Coping and Taking Action

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Climate crisis is no longer a distant concern for future generations — it is a pressing reality that younger people are living with every day.

For Gen Z and Millennials, the growing awareness of environmental degradation, rising global temperatures, and worsening natural disasters has led to a phenomenon known as climate anxiety. This mental health challenge is as much a reflection of the world’s environmental state as it is of younger generations’ deep sense of responsibility for driving change.

While the weight of this crisis can feel overwhelming, these generations are also demonstrating resilience. Through activism, mindfulness practices, and community building, they’re finding ways to cope, heal, and take meaningful action. Let’s explore the intersection of climate anxiety, mental health, and the ways young people are rising to meet one of the most significant challenges of our time.

What Is Climate Anxiety?

Climate anxiety refers to the chronic fear and stress associated with the impacts of climate change. It’s not a hypothetical worry but a lived reality for millions of young people who see their futures directly threatened. A 2021 global survey published in The Lancet revealed that 60% of young people feel “very” or “extremely”…