Climate Anxiety in Our Generation
Irene Kim ’29
Eva Borges ’28
Do you ever worry that the environment is so damaged that it is beyond repair? That we might have to live in a world with more and more extreme climates? If so, you are not alone. In fact, 99% of children worldwide have experienced at least one climate or environmental hazard, and about 85% of U.S. youth ages 16 to 25 report being at least moderately worried about climate change.
“I feel quite strongly about climate change because I care about the earth and I know that we have to take care of it. I also think that it is very hard to be completely environmentally conscious all of the time because so many of the things that I would like to change to make myself more environmentally friendly are not up to me directly.” (Phoebe Needle ‘28)
Eco-anxiety includes emotional responses like sadness, anger, grief, and fear about changes happening to the planet, along with distress about how people in power are not doing enough to respond. The latter part can feel even more frustrating, as many young people often feel like they are being left to deal with a crisis they did not create.
These emotions can affect daily life in noticeable ways. Studies show that about 38.3% of U.S. youth say their feelings about climate change negatively impact their everyday lives, including sleep, concentration, school performance, and relationships.
There are also more subtle effects, like feeling uneasy during extreme weather or missing how the environment used to feel, which is called solastalgia. Over time, this kind of stress can even affect physical health, including the immune, cardiovascular, and cognitive systems.
What makes matters worse is the clear contradiction we experience daily. While we say we care about the environment, we still engage in practices that harm it, like food waste, buying fast fashion, and using technologies like AI, leading to a significant carbon footprint. This gap between values and actions can lead to guilt and make eco-anxiety worse.
However, psychologists argue that these emotions are not something to get rid of, but something to work with. As Maria Ojala explains, people need hope and meaning to help balance negative emotions. Turning anxiety into action can help people feel less stuck and more in control. For students, this can start with small steps, like talking to friends, peer health educators, or counselors at the Wellness Center. At Loomis, you can reach out to faculty like Dean Matzkin. Being part of a community where others feel the same way can reduce isolation and make coping easier. Schools can also help by including more climate-focused education that addresses both the science and the emotional impact. Tools like the Climate Emotions Wheel can help students better understand their feelings.
Eco-anxiety is not a sign of weakness, but a sign that people care and are paying attention to the environment. The challenge is learning how to respond to those feelings in a way that supports both personal well-being and meaningful action.
