The climate is heating up young people across the political spectrum

By Jeremy D. Wortzel, MD, MPhil, MPH, Joshua R. Wortzel, MD, MPhil, MS(Ed) and the Climate Committee of the Progress Group Psychiatry.

In this presidential election season, a number of anxieties are on people’s minds. Anger about climate change is a central concern for many, led by rising temperatures and record natural disasters such as hurricanes Helene and Milton that caused it displacement of the population and billions of dollars in damages only in the United States.

New evidence of youth climate anxiety

One study published in October 2024 in the journal Lancet Planetary Healthnearly 16,000 young people in the United States were surveyed about their climate-related emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. Eighty-five percent identified as being at least “moderately” concerned about climate change, and 58 percent said they were “very” or “extremely” concerned. Forty-three percent told investigators that their climate distress affected their mental health, and 38 percent said it affected their daily life and functioning.

The study also found that, despite what the news might suggest, climate distress has significantly affected young people in both major political parties – these concerns transcend. POLICY.

How can adults help?

Posts on Psychology today and other sources proposed various strategies to help young people navigate the complex emotions associated with the climate crisis. Research is increasingly highlighting the significant and nuanced roles that environmental activism and engagement with nature can play in mitigating climate anxiety. How climate change is introduced to individuals during their formative years can profoundly influence their ongoing relationship with the issue.

Children’s literature in climate education

Children’s literature often serves as the initial point of contact for young people engaging with climate topics. For many, Dr. Seuss’ environmental classic, The Loraxit remains a powerful and unifying symbol.

However, for some, such narratives may inadvertently place the responsibility for addressing climate change on the shoulders of the youngest generation, sending an overwhelming and isolating message.

In response, recent efforts have focused on creating more developmentally appropriate narratives for children. For example, Magination Press, a division of the American Psychological Association, recently published a new article for children the workbook that addresses climate change sensitively, with an emphasis on empowerment, psychoeducation and development appropriateness.

In addition, the Climate Committee of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry produced Coco’s Fire: The Changing Climate Anxiety in Climate Actiona children’s book depicting a family of squirrels changing the climate of a young squirrel fear in proactive engagement by joining a supportive and action-oriented community. This book has recently been adapted in an exciting way animationincreasing its accessibility and impact for diverse audiences.

These efforts reflect a growing understanding of the need to present climate change in favorable ways resistance and positive action among young people rather than inducing fear or helplessness.

More research needed

Although there is initial progress in creating materials to support parents in helping their children with climate difficulties, much work remains. For example, it is still unclear which young people are most at risk of climate distress.

Some EVIDENCE shows that black and Latino Americans are two to four times more likely than white Americans to want to talk about climate suffering in therapy. Preliminary data suggest that those with higher levels of generalized anxiety are more likely to experience climate distress.

Although recent SUMMARY of the existing findings on climate hardship are available, a key theme is the need for further research. Most importantly, there is little research on how parents and adult caregivers can best support children experiencing climate distress. Developing interventions and more psychoeducational tools targeting this population is the next great frontier.

Contribute

Ultimately, climate change is a crisis that requires systemic action. Most young people they want and need adults to do more to solve the problem. GAP’s Climate Committee recommends talking to the young people in one’s life about climate change, rolling up their sleeves and being a role model by getting involved in research and activism. Most pressingly, it is recommended that you get out and vote.