A new study reveals that the vast majority of young Americans are deeply concerned about the climate crisis, with over half stating that these anxieties will influence their life choices, such as where to live and whether to have children.
This research comes on the heels of significant climate disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused widespread destruction in the southeastern U.S. The study highlights the pervasive nature of climate anxiety among young people, cutting across political affiliations, and suggests that environmental concerns are becoming central to the decisions young Americans make about their futures.
The survey, led by Eric Lewandowski from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and published in *Lancet Planetary Health*, involved young people aged 16-25 from all 50 U.S. states. Conducted between July and November 2023, the study found that 85% of respondents were at least moderately worried about the climate crisis, with more than half reporting extreme levels of concern.
A striking 57% of participants expressed deep anxieties about the future, and many reported hesitancy about having children due to fears about the planet’s fate. The sense of inevitability about humanity’s doom was prevalent among nearly two-thirds of respondents.
Study Shows Majority of Young Americans Fear Climate Crisis, Impacting Major Life DecisionsThe study also revealed a bipartisan consensus on climate worries. While 92% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans expressed concern, many young people, regardless of political affiliation, were not just worried but were also planning to take action.
This included voting for candidates who promised aggressive climate policies. The findings indicate that personal exposure to climate disasters, like those caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, increased the likelihood of young people seeking actionable solutions to address the climate crisis.
In addition to heightened anxiety, young people want their concerns to be discussed more widely. Over 70% of survey participants expressed the desire for the climate crisis to be a topic of regular conversation and urged older generations to better understand their feelings.
The study emphasized the mental health impacts of climate disasters, noting that repeated exposure to such events exacerbates feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, as many young people are already feeling overwhelmed by daily reports of climate-related tragedies.
Experts in mental health, like Dr. Sandro Galea from Boston University, who was not involved in the study, suggest that climate-related stressors are just as likely to harm mental health as other life challenges like unemployment or family issues.
Although less studied than other factors, the worsening state of the planet and fears of future conflicts or disasters are plausible contributors to poor mental health, signaling a growing need for research and action to address climate anxiety among younger generations.