For Gen Z, Climate Change Is a Heavy Emotional Burden, Over one-third of Gen Z are worried they’ll need to move away from their hometowns due to climate change.
Table of Contents
Individuals who have reached adulthood in recent decades—specifically millennials and Generation Z—have encountered a continuous influx of distressing information regarding climate change and environmental degradation. An increasing amount of research indicates that these escalating issues, along with the inadequate responses to them, are inflicting significant emotional distress.
Britt Wray, a 35-year-old postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Innovation in Global Health, is among those investigating this issue. Wray recently coauthored the most extensive survey on climate anxiety among teenagers and young adults, a study encompassing ten nations published in The Lancet, which revealed that climate change profoundly affects young individuals. Additionally, she is the author of the recent book, Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis.
In a discussion with Yale Environment 360, Wray elaborates on how climate anxiety is particularly pronounced among Generation Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—who have been inundated with reports of climate-related disasters via social media. She notes that they feel a sense of betrayal due to governmental inaction and are disheartened when they are told they are overreacting to what they perceive as an existential threat. More than half of the respondents aged 16 to 25 in the Lancet survey expressed the belief that humanity is doomed, and nearly 40 percent indicated that their concerns about the future have made them hesitant to have children.
While Wray finds these results to be “incredibly sad,” she posits that the anxiety surrounding climate change can be harnessed as a “super-fuel” for fostering positive change. “Anger can be hugely motivating,” she asserts. “When it is rooted in a genuine sense of injustice, it demonstrates that your conscience is active and that your moral sensibility remains intact.”
Climate anxiety, which encompasses the psychological distress and fear linked to climate change, is a tangible concern for many generations. Both the United Nations and the American Psychological Association have raised alarms regarding the escalating global threat of mental health issues stemming from climate change, which can significantly affect individuals’ well-being and job performance.
A global study conducted in 2021 indicated that 45% of young individuals aged 16 to 25 reported that climate anxiety was influencing their daily lives, particularly within Generation Z. The heightened awareness of climate change among Gen Z can be largely attributed to their status as digital natives, as their adeptness with social media keeps them informed about global events, including climate-related disasters.
This constant exposure, coupled with the perception that corporations are not responding adequately to climate challenges, has fostered feelings of frustration and disillusionment within this generation. Consequently, these sentiments have influenced their career choices.
A survey by KPMG revealed that..
A survey by KPMG revealed that 20% of Gen Z job seekers declined job offers due to a perceived misalignment between the companies’ practices and their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values, underscoring Gen Z’s commitment to prioritizing these values over personal financial gain. While the focus on purpose is crucial, it may also lead to diminished job satisfaction and motivation among Gen Z employees if employers fail to effectively address climate change.
A survey revealed that within Generation Z, 73% of individuals who express concern about the necessity to relocate due to climate change attribute this potential move to water-related issues, including water pollution, the risk of flooding, insufficient access to clean drinking water, and the threat of drought. Additionally, the survey indicated that 31% of Gen Z members are apprehensive that their generation will face a shortage of clean water in the future. Furthermore, 72% are troubled by pollution affecting their waterways, while 66% are anxious about the well-being of fish populations and ocean health.
A survey revealed that within Generation Z
A survey revealed that within Generation Z, 73% of individuals who express concern about the necessity to relocate due to climate change attribute this potential move to water-related issues, including water pollution, the risk of flooding, insufficient access to clean drinking water, and the threat of drought. Additionally, the survey indicated that 31% of Gen Z members are apprehensive that their generation will face a shortage of clean water in the future. Furthermore, 72% are troubled by pollution affecting their waterways, while 66% are anxious about the well-being of fish populations and ocean health.
During the 2024 election cycle, climate change has not been polling as a top issue for U.S.
During the 2024 election cycle, climate change has not emerged as a primary concern for U.S. voters across various age demographics. However, individuals such as Holly Burke, the senior communications director at Evergreen Action, suggest that its significance may increase as Generation Z and younger cohorts transition into the electorate. “At present, only the oldest members of Generation Z are eligible to vote and actively participating in elections.
Therefore, we are just beginning to witness this demographic transformation, yet it has already exerted considerable influence,” Burke stated in an interview with ABC News, referencing the political momentum generated by young activists that has led to substantial national investments in climate initiatives, including the Inflation Reduction Act.
