BOSTON, Mass. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — As climate change intensifies, so does the emotional toll it’s taking on young people. A new study looking at the emotional and psychological impact of climate change on 16,000 young Americans found that a majority of those ages 16 to 25 are overwhelmingly concerned about the impacts of a warming planet. With rising climate anxiety and depression among teens, experts urge parents to take action.
From planting to harvesting, for most of these teens, it’s a season of firsts…
“I have not ever been to a farm,” said 12th grader Michelle.
“At the heart of it, we do environmental stewardship, which is a fancy way of saying we take care of the environment,” explained Groundwork Rhode Island Director of Youth Programs Sarah Hashem.
The high schoolers there are conquering their climate anxieties.
“I get too scared to go outside. There are all these heat warnings,” said 11th grader Veasna Yean.
“After Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, me and my family went to visit, and I saw many of the places that I’ve been visiting through my childhood destroyed and leveled and I saw communities in suffering,” recalled 9th grader Khalil Garcia.
“Just the lack of trees, it gets so hot, and it affects my health,” 12th grader Sophia told Ivanhoe.
Harvard Medical School psychologist James McKowen, PhD says it’s critical we acknowledge our children’s concerns.
“It’s like, what do I do? And so, if you are 13, you’re going to feel that a lot more I think,” he explained.
Prof. McKowen says when parents avoid climate conversations, they’re adding to the problem.
“Sometimes there’s this sense that it’s not a big deal or that what you’re feeling is not really important,” he said.
What should parents do? First —
“Really listen to what they’re talking about, really hear their feelings. Don’t try and minimize it if they said they’re terrified of their future,” Prof. McKowen stated.
Then, take action. Connect with a community restoration project, start a neighborhood recycling program, or work with your school to create a climate club. This will help your child feel more confident, capable and in control of their future.
“I feel like it’s good to feel, go outside and feel grounded, to feel like engaged, alive and relaxed,” said Veasna.
Climate anxiety can disproportionately affect kids in rural areas who are often exposed to climate impacts firsthand. Additionally, urban, low-income communities are also vulnerable to climate-related health risks due to socioeconomic disparities and limited access to resources. Cultural differences in mental health understanding can further complicate the issue. That’s why Prof. McKowen says it’s vital we acknowledge climate distress exists by listening to and empowering kids to engage in activities that foster a sense of agency over their future.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Executive Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; and Bob Walko, Editor.
Produced by Child Trends News Service in partnership with Ivanhoe Broadcast News and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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Source:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(24)00229-8/fulltext#fig1
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