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Youth in Public Health
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Climate anxiety and eco-anxiety are terms that describe feelings of distress related to climate and ecological issues. Climate crisis is a serious long-term threat that affects physical health and mental well-being and environmental changes. In 2021, a survey of 10,000 young people aged 16 to 25 in ten countries found that 60% felt very or extremely worried about climate change. Over 45% said their feelings about climate change caused problems in their daily lives. Many young people reported emotions such as feeling sad, anxious, frustrated, powerless, helpless, and guilty. These feelings are often stronger when they see governments unresponsive. More than 45% of respondents reported that climate change affected their daily activities and ability to function (1).
Climate change impacts health in many ways. Mental health effects happen immediately, such as experiencing severe weather. Indirect effects happen over time, like economic problems, migration, damage to infrastructure, food and water shortages, and conflicts. Vicarious effects: people may experience emotional reactions from being aware of these problems (2). To address these issues, we need to identify gaps in knowledge. The study recommends including different groups in society, such as teachers, parents, policymakers, school administrators, mental health workers, researchers, and the public. Young people see value in using different strategies to manage climate anxiety. Strategies like group activism, support from peers, and education about climate issues can help turn anxiety into strength and resilience (3) (1).
References:
- Hickman, C., Marks, E., Panu Pihkala, Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., & Susteren, L. van. (2021). Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12), e863–e873. //doi.org/10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00278-3
- Léger-Goodes, T., Malboeuf-Hurtubise, C., Mastine, T., Mélissa Généreux, Paradis, P.-O., & Camden, C. (2022). Eco-anxiety in children: A scoping review of the mental health impacts of the awareness of climate change. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. //doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.872544
- Frota, M. A., Costa, M., Fernandes, M. N., Schor, M., Clayton, S., & Surkan, P. J. (2025). Exploring support systems for young people with climate anxiety: Suggestions from Brazil. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. //doi.org/10.1111/nyas.70047
Posted : September 22, 2025 5:34 pm
I think climate change is one of the biggest challenges for today’s youth. Young people are not only more aware of the issue but are also the ones who will face its long-term effects. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and health risks affect education, jobs, and even mental health. For example, the World Health Organization (2021) mentions that climate change increases risks of heat stress, malnutrition, and diseases, which are especially harmful to children and youth. At the same time, youth are playing an important role in raising awareness and pushing for change. Movements like Fridays for Future show how students can influence governments and communities to take stronger action (Han & Ahn, 2020). By learning sustainable habits and encouraging policies that protect the planet, young people are showing that they are not just victims of climate change but also leaders in finding solutions. In my view, empowering youth with knowledge, skills, and platforms to act is key to building a more sustainable future.
References
- World Health Organization. (2021). Climate change and health. //www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health Han, H., & Ahn, S. W. (2020).
- Youth mobilization to stop global climate change: Narratives and impact. Sustainability, 12(10), 4127. //doi.org/10.3390/su12104127
Posted : September 23, 2025 1:34 pm
Interesting read, surely activism and peer support can empower the youth, yet systemic changes remain crucial to address the causes of climate anxiety. The action by government on climate policy, environmental justice, and mental health resources are indeed necessary for long-term solutions.
To know more:
Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. Hickman, Caroline et al. The Lancet Planetary Health, Volume 5, Issue 12, e863 - e873
Léger-Goodes, T., Malboeuf-Hurtubise, C., Mastine, T., Généreux, M., Paradis, P., & Camden, C. (2022). Eco-anxiety in children: A scoping review of the mental health impacts of the awareness of climate change. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. //doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.872544
Posted : October 4, 2025 2:07 pm
Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change impacts range from affecting agriculture, further endangering food security, to sea-level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones increasing the intensity of natural disasters, species extinction, and spread of vector-borne diseases. This issue is of immense importance for every global citizen. Hence it requires an initiative against it globally. Youth play a crucial role in combating climate change. A questionnaire-based pilot survey was conducted in Pune city of Maharashtra state, Indiam to assess awareness about climate change among the college going youth. Amongst 201 respondents 66.2% were males and 33.8% were females studying in various faculties or courses. About 98.5% respondents said global climate is changing, 95.5% of the respondents also commented that human activities contribute to climate change. The study also assessed awareness regarding major international organizations and panels working on global climate change and its effects. Only 45.3% of the respondents knew about the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Kyoto Protocol while 45.8% were aware of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which conducts scientific analysis of climate change, global warming and its impacts. About 54.5% of the respondents believed that youth could play a major role in combating climate change. As per the 60th annual DPI/NGO conference organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) in collaboration with the NGO/DPI, an executive committee meet on “Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All” was held from September 5 to 7, 2007, at the United Nations Head- quarters. It stressed the role of youth, the next generation which inhabits the Earth and inherits the responsibility to protect the planet, in fighting the complex scientific problems and social quandaries presented by climate change. Youth education represents one of the most effective tools to combat the destructive potential of climate change and cultivate an international understanding among members of the next generation since it is a long-term process that will impact an infinite number of future generations.
References:
Pandve, H. T., Deshmukh, P. R., Pandve, R. T., & Patil, N. R. (2009). Role of youth in combating climate change. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 13(2), 105. //doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.55130
Posted : October 8, 2025 2:11 pm
Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the greatest global threats to youth health and development. According to Ahdoot and Pacheco (2015), children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their physiological and developmental characteristics, which make them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution, heat exposure, infectious diseases, and food and water insecurity. These environmental challenges not only endanger their physical health but also compromise educational opportunities and long-term well-being.
Beyond physical impacts, the psychological consequences of climate change are significant. Brophy, Olson, and Paul (2023) describe how awareness of environmental degradation contributes to rising “eco-anxiety” among young people—a persistent sense of fear, sadness, and powerlessness about the planet’s future. Similarly, Henderson-Wilson and Patrick (2022) highlight that youth experience distress, frustration, and even grief due to perceived inaction by policymakers, yet many demonstrate resilience through activism and community participation.
Globally, young people have become vocal advocates for climate justice, leading grassroots movements and demanding accountability from world leaders. Their engagement—through campaigns, education, and innovation—represents a crucial force for climate mitigation and adaptation. Empowering youth through environmental education, mental health support, and inclusive policy platforms is essential for fostering resilience and driving sustainable global action.
References
Ahdoot, S., & Pacheco, S. E. (2015). Global climate change and children’s health. Pediatrics, 136(5), e1468–e1484. //doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3233
Brophy, H., Olson, J., & Paul, P. (2023). Eco-anxiety in youth: An integrative literature review. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 32(3), 633–661. //doi.org/10.1111/inm.13099
Henderson-Wilson, C., & Patrick, R. (2022). Hope, coping and eco-anxiety: Young people’s mental health in a climate-impacted Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5528. //doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095528
United Nations. (2023). Youth in action on climate change. United Nations Climate Change. //www.un.org/en/climatechange/youth-in-action
Posted : October 11, 2025 3:16 pm