The Growing Impact of Climate Anxiety on Younger Generations

Rising‎ global‎ temperatures,‎ extreme‎‎ weather events, biodiversity loss, and long-term environmental changes have‎ made climate issues a‎ central‎ part of everyday life, especially for‎ younger generations (Gen‎ Z‎ and‎ younger‎ Millennials), who have‎ started to feel the emotional toll of this constant exposure.‎ In fact,‎ many report feeling overwhelmed,‎ uncertain,‎ or‎ helpless when‎ thinking‎ about the planet’s‎ future.‎ While not officially classified‎ as‎ a mental‎ health‎ disorder, this‎ emotional‎‎ response‎ is widely referred to as climate‎ anxiety.‎ Now, what’s the exact‎ impact‎ of climate anxiety on younger generations?‎ And‎ most‎ importantly, what can you do to lessen its effects?‎ Stick‎ around‎ to find out!

What is climate anxiety?

To‎ quote the  United Nations Children’s‎ Fund‎ (UNICEF):

”Climate anxiety‎ can be‎ described as heightened‎ emotional,‎ mental or physical‎ distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate.”

Unfortunately,‎ climate anxiety is not limited to a single event. Rather, it’s caused by constant exposure to climate-related content across news outlets,‎ documentaries,‎ school discussions, and especially social media.

Why younger‎ generations are‎ more affected

In a study conducted by The Lancet, 60% of 16-25 year-olds have described themselves as very or extremely worried about climate change. But why is this group particularly vulnerable to climate-related anxiety?

It’s because they have never known a world without the climate crisis in the background.‎ They’ve grown up surrounded by warnings, forecasts, and urgent calls to action from early‎ school years.

What’s more,‎ unlike older‎ generations, who may‎ view‎ climate change as a slow-developing issue,‎ Gen‎ Z and‎ younger‎ Millennials are more likely to see it as a direct and personal‎ concern. They’re also more emotionally invested,‎ often‎ linking climate‎‎ outcomes‎ with their‎ own‎ life‎ plans‎ (e.g.,‎ deciding where to live,‎ what to study, whether to have children, etc.), which is precisely why climate‎ anxiety affects them‎ more‎‎ severely.

In some cases, this ongoing stress‎ can lead to stronger‎ psychological reactions.‎ Climate anxiety can escalate into symptoms like sleep disturbances, concentration issues, or even panic attacks. When this happens, the emotional response‎ may start interfering with daily life. Extra support may be necessary,‎ including‎ strategies‎ or‎ resources for dealing with panic attacks, especially if‎ the‎ anxiety becomes‎ difficult to manage alone.

The impact of climate anxiety on behavior and mindset

The emotional toll of climate anxiety often leads to noticeable changes in how younger generations think, plan, and live.

Some of the most‎ common responses‎ include:

• Adopting‎ more sustainable habits – Many‎ reduce their environmental footprint by‎ flying‎less, shopping second hand, using public transport, or‎ choosing plant-based diets.
• Rethinking‎ career‎ choices – Climate-related stress‎ can‎ push people toward fields like‎ environmental‎ science, advocacy, public policy, or sustainable design.
• Delaying or reconsidering major life decisions – Questions about‎ whether to have children,‎ where‎ to live, or how‎ to plan for the‎ future‎ often factor in long-term climate predictions.
• Engaging in activism or community work – Some turn their anxiety into action‎ by participating in protests, climate organizations, or‎ local‎ sustainability‎ efforts.

Experiencing emotional burnout or eco-paralysis – In other cases, the pressure to ”do something” can backfire, leading to avoidance, fatigue, or the belief that personal actions aren’t enough to matter.

Are there any positives?

The impact of climate anxiety isn’t always negative. In many cases, climate anxiety actually becomes the starting point for positive engagement and long-term resilience.

Some of the potential positives include:

• Stronger‎ peer‎ communities – Young people who care about climate issues often find support in others who feel the same. This shared concern helps build friendships, organize collective efforts, and reduce feelings of isolation.
• Increased civic engagement – Anxiety can translate into participation.‎ From voting on climate policy to joining local environmental groups,many young people are taking a more active role in shaping their communities.
• New mental‎ health‎ support‎ systems – As awareness of climate‎ anxiety grows, so does the availability‎ of resources. Schools, universities, and therapy‎ providers are beginning to offer‎ space for these conversations, and are sometimes even adjusting support to address‎ climate-related stress.
• Creative and‎ tech-driven‎ solutions – The emotional‎ urgency young people feel is also fueling‎ climate-focused‎ innovation, giving birth to green‎ startups, along with new sustainability tools and educational content.

What you can do if you’re feeling overwhelmed

Contrary to popular opinion, there isn’t only so much you can do about the impact of climate anxiety.

As a matter of fact, if you find yourself feeling the adverse effects, make sure to:

Set boundaries with climate-related content

Constant exposure to alarming headlines or social media posts can increase stress. Take breaks when needed and limit how often you engage with climate news.

Focus on what’s within your control

You don’t have to, nor can you fix everything. What you can do, however,‎ is focus‎ on a few positive habits. You’d be surprised‎ by‎ how much reducing waste, supporting sustainable businesses, or volunteering can help the Planet. Not to mention, they give you a purpose that helps combat climate anxiety.

Talk about it with someone

Keeping the‎ anxiety‎ to yourself‎ can‎ make it worse. Share how you’re feeling with a friend,‎ parent, teacher,‎ and/or‎ therapist to normalize the experience.

Join‎ a cause or local initiative

Taking part‎ in‎ community clean-ups,‎ climate education,‎ or youth-led organizations can turn anxiety into action and connection.

Find healthy‎ outlets

Exercise, art,‎ journaling,‎ or time in nature‎ can help regulate your mood and reduce emotional overload.

Don’t let climate anxiety impact you any longer

The impact of climate‎ anxiety‎ is becoming‎ harder to ignore, especially‎ among‎ younger generations who are‎ deeply aware of the world they’re inheriting. And while the‎ emotional‎ toll‎ is real, it’s‎ not‎ something you have to carry alone‎ or‎ without direction. Understanding‎ where these‎ feelings come from is the first step. Learning how they affect your choices, your mindset, and your relationships is the second—and it‎ can‎ help you respond in a more grounded, intentional way. And know this:‎ climate anxiety‎ may not go away entirely. But with the right tools, support, and mindset, you can learn to live with it, channel it into something meaningful, and protect your mental health along the way.