Is the government’s Negligence Towards Climate Change Action Responsible for Creating Eco-anxiety in Today’s Youth?
- Born For Stem
- 9 août
- 15 min de lecture
By Heba Khan
One of the shocking revelations of 2023 was how it was the hottest year on record since
temperature records from 1850 (Ebbs et al. 2024). With such statistics, climate change no longer
remains a future threat, but rather our present reality. Despite this, governments around the globe
have failed to set up and maintain effective strategies to combat this crisis. Consequently, there’s
a rise in the anxiety and stress that young adults feel for the future of the planet (Bellemo &
Sanson, 2021). To further worsen the mental health of the youth, governments, world leaders, as
well as multinational oil and gas companies, shift the blame from themselves to common people
to solve this crisis and to take actions that will somehow be enough to counteract the millions of
emissions produced every year. As the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres
stated, “My generation has largely failed until now to preserve both justice in the world and to
preserve the planet. It is your generation that must make us accountable to make sure that we
don't betray the future of humankind” (United Nations).
With the ever-increasing media coverage, discussion on social media, as well as environmental
damage being included in school curricula, children face eco-anxiety at an unprecedented level.
It’s important to understand the pressure that the youth have to face. Many studies found that
they are unable to cope with the emerging consequences. UNDP’s Peoples’ Climate Vote, the
largest survey conducted on the topic of climate change, estimates that 70% of individuals under
18 years old are most likely to believe climate change is a global emergency. (UNDP, 2022). The
psychological states of young adults are in constant danger of being ruined by the fear of climate
change.
Understanding the implications this has on the psychological well-being of our youth, and
investigating the real culprit, will help us grab ahold of this disastrous situation. The primary
objective is to explore the causes and consequences of eco-anxiety faced by today’s youth. In
some cases, youth feel so much disappointment and frustration and go to great extents that can
sometimes harm themselves just to have their voices heard.
The Causes of Eco-anxiety:
The prolonged consequences of the climate crisis are no longer only tied to environmental shifts
such as storms, wildfires, landscape transformations, and rising temperatures- It’s starting to
affect mental health too. The American Psychology Association describes eco-anxiety as “the
chronic fear of environmental cataclysm that arises from observing the impact of climate change
and the associated concern for one's future” (Iberdrola, ND). A recent study reported that a total
of 308 climate-related disasters were recorded globally, exceeding those from the last 30 years,
resulting in an average of 16 droughts, 147 floods, and 100 storms (Asian Disaster Reduction
Center, 2023). Among these, floods in Pakistan, droughts in Africa, typhoons in the Philippines,
wildfires in Australia, and hurricanes in the Caribbean were regarded as the most devastating
events. This has caused many people to become increasingly aware that the threatening danger of
climate change is no longer an impending disaster glued in the future, but rather looms in front of
us and is now our reality.
Severn Cullis-Suzuki, who gave a speech at the UN Earth Summit in 1992, got the title of "The
Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes" when she urged global pioneers with a powerful
statement: “You grown-ups say you love us. But I challenge you, please, make your actions
reflect your words.” (Vidal, 2022) In the COP24 event of 2018, Greta Thunberg, the
strong-willed environmental activist who has taken the world by storm, addressed the world
leaders in her speech and how little they talk about the climate crisis: “You are not mature
enough to tell it like it is. Even that burden, you leave to us children.” (NPR, 2019) The shocking
contrast in the above 2 speeches makes a shameful revelation: little to nothing has changed even
3 decades later.
Climate change, in turn, causes increased amounts of eco-anxiety in young children, causing
negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, despair, hopelessness, instability and outrage to arise.
UNDP’s Peoples’ Climate Vote, the largest survey conducted on the topic of climate change,
estimates that 70% of individuals under 18 years old are most likely to believe climate change is
a global emergency. (UNDP, 2022). The psychological states of young adults are in constant
danger of being ruined by the fear of climate change.
For many decades, governments and people in positions of power have ignored their
responsibilities whilst young individuals command to see evident steps to take against the
climate crisis but have been responded with no change. This consistent refusal to take young
children’s voices into account, accompanied by the many layers of deception and neglect that
older generations treat the youth with, adds to the psychological distress that youngsters face on
a daily basis regarding matters of global warming.
The Devastating Consequences of Eco-anxiety in Youth:
This pattern of governments’ failure to protect young citizens’ mental health by responding to
their pressing concerns, arguably acts as one of the greatest violations of human rights. At the
COP28 climate summit in Dubai, 12 year old Licypriya Kangujam disrupted a key session and
rushed onto the stage, holding a sign above her head that said: “End fossil fuels. Save our planet
and our future” (Hindustan Times, 2023). When later interviewed, she shared her sincere
statement, “I protested because I want leaders to act, they must fulfil the promises they have
made” (Badam, 2023). This example shows that there are soaring levels of “moral injury” in
youth, which refers to the psychological and social impact of events involving betrayal of one’s
own deeply held moral beliefs (Koenig and Zaben, 2021)
A similar instance took place in October of 2022, a Claude Monet painting in a German museum
was vandalized by two young climate activists in an attempt to bring about a wake-up call for
climate issues and protest against fossil fuel extraction (Jones, 2022). The response by the
museum director further fueled the fury in young individuals’ climate activism: "While I
understand the activists' urgent concern in the face of the climate catastrophe, I am shocked by
the means with which they are trying to lend weight to their demands” (AlArabiya News, ND).
As observed in the aforementioned events, it is evident that there is a pattern being followed by
young activists, each one getting its attention on the headlines more than the one before. All
adding up just for one purpose: to grab the media’s and government’s attention, to demand
answers and actions. To ask: How many more children have to risk their own lives before they
are taken seriously?
This provides weight to the argument that eco-anxiety in young individuals is not entirely
associated with the advancing environmental disasters; It is also linked to the failure of more
influential entities, such as governments and businesses, to address these looming threats.
Reducing Climate Change on an Individual Level versus on A Global Level
Lack of Accountability from Powerful Entities:
Even though younger individuals have played the smallest role in climate change, they will have
to face the most disastrous consequences in the future. This is a strong example of
intergenerational unfairness which continues to worsen. According to a 2020 study conducted by
PNAS, it was predicted that one third of the world’s population will live in a climate similar to
the Sahara desert within the next 50 years (Borenstein, 2020). This indicates that the effects of
climate change are just around the corner. The study also suggested that by 2070, 3.5 billion
people will live in intense hot temperatures that are considered inhabitable in the long-term.
The pressing concerns from younger people about climate change does not stem from their
insecurities regarding individual action, but rather that they live in a world where those in power
don’t take actionable steps to make structured changes and agreements to reduce the problem, or
rather refuse to follow up on their agreements. In the 2015 Paris agreement, all governments
committed to “pursue efforts” to minimise global warming to 1.5C (2.7F), but are shown to have
made no fruitful accomplishments. (UNFCC, ND)
Strategic Misdirection by Fossil Fuel Companies
The idea of carbon footprint was first introduced by BP, the British oil and gas company
(Kilgore, 2024). It was used as a key measure and to inform people the amount of greenhouse
gas emissions they may be contributing to. Its aim is to push individuals to make well-informed
and sustainable choices. It is instead, in the modern day and age, being used as a weapon to
misdirect the blame from multinational companies who have the highest emission of carbon
dioxide, onto common individuals. This is supported by the evidence that the greater number of
greenhouse gas emissions emitted globally are, in fact, not generated by individuals, but rather
by the large-scale commercial activities that are controlled by governments and multinational
companies. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that 100
companies worldwide are responsible for approximately 70% of carbon dioxide emissions per
year (Horný and Matějovcová et al. 2023). Such an alarming figure suggests that independent
than five times annually, whereas a total 90% only once every year or not at all (Gössling and
Humpe, 2020). The same study investigated how in premium class, passengers use three times as
much oil as those in economy classes due to the space constraints of airline seats. As a result, in
some areas, the total aviation footprint of the top decile exceeds that of the bottom decile.
Statistics of individual carbon footprint involve the following: Firstly, sources of food, which
adds up to 10-30% of the typical household’s carbon footprint released on an everyday basis. In
addition to that, lower-income households account for a larger share of this figure (Center for
Sustainable Systems, 2023). The same study suggested that 68% of food emissions are attributed
to the production of food, with meat products releasing more greenhouse gas emissions per
calorie compared to that of vegetable products due to an inefficient conversion of plant to animal
energy. This evidence suggests that by opting for a vegetarian diet and eating less meat, an
individual’s carbon footprint is lowered significantly.
Moving onto transportation, according to the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and
Sinks 1990–2021: During 2021, transportation contributed the largest share of the total US
greenhouse gas emissions, which is 29% (EPA, 2021). The major sources of which are common
means of transport used on a daily basis worldwide: railroads, cars, air travel, all have a factor in
transportation end-use sector emissions.
For every mile driven, a typical passenger car emits 0.77 pounds of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere (Center for Sustainable Systems, 2023). The researchers further concluded that
diesel releases 22.5 pounds of carbon dioxide every gallon while gasoline releases 19.4 pounds
of CO2 when they’re burned. Additionally, diesel contains 11% more BTU per gallon,
cultivating effective fuel efficiency. It was also duly noted in the same study that the fuel
energy-efficiency of air travel had shot up to 115% between 1990 and 2019, the reason being
higher levels of occupation. Only a 20% increase in fuel efficiency was seen between 1990 and
2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic (Center for Sustainable Systems, 2023). As a
consequence of COVID-19 limitations, emissions released per passenger rose 47% from 2019 to
2021 after declining 44% from 1990 to 2019.
Despite these appalling statistics, progress is being made slowly but surely to overcome this
grave obstacle - In order to entirely mitigate all greenhouse emissions, the Biden-Harris
Administration published the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization (Office
of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, n.d.). It serves as a step-by-step action plan to cut
down any and all enormous amounts of greenhouse emissions from the transportation sector by
2050. This was done to meet US’ President Biden’s efforts to eradicate the climate crisis and
achieve his targets of having net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Although individual action, ranging from risky protests to saving electricity in their homes, holds
the potential to create a ripple effect against combating the climate crisis, the overall
responsibility lies with world leaders and those in power to assist this systemic change. As
international corporations emit the largest amounts of fossil fuels, governments play a key role in
identifying threats and reducing them.
Action Taken by Governments:
A shocking incident of negligence occurred when Donald Trump, former president of the United
States, agreed to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline in 2017 (Smith and Kassam, 2017). Its
construction presents severe consequences in increasing carbon emissions as well as harming
natural habitats. The pipeline’s location near the Ogallala Aquifer is a distressing matter for
environmentalists as it is planned to cut directly through the world’s largest aquifer. The pipeline
will not only generate more emissions than a regular oil pipeline but even the smallest leakage
can contaminate the surrounding underwater which accounts for drinking water for 1.8 million
people and is one-third of the country’s irrigation source (Barbash et al, 2018). This serves as an
important example as it provides evidence to the argument that some world leaders are not taking
actions with their citizens’ best interests in mind.
Case study 1: Australia
Australia has placed zero restrictions on renewable energy and has instead continued to finance
coal, eventually being the number 1 cause for natural disasters such as fires, droughts and floods
in Australia. This causes people to have no other choice but to be forcefully displaced (AFP,
2023). “Displacements of populations and destruction of cultural language and tradition is
equivalent in our minds to genocide,” Tony de Brum, Marshall Island’s foreign minister
commented, as Radio New Zealand reports (Pashley, 2015).
Environmental scientists strongly recommend that for the growth of a greener future, Australia
must cut down emissions by 47%. The country has only agreed to a meagre 26% yet at the
moment, has only attained a 7% reduction of emissions (Climate Action Tracker, 2023).
Opposed to the international treaty’s agreed target of alleviating the climate crisis, In the 1997
Kyoto Climate Change Conference, Kyoto carbon credits permitted Australia to increase its
global greenhouse gas emissions by 8% between 1990 and 2012 (The Straits Times, 2023). With
Australia’s current leadership, it remains unclear whether or not they are aware of the importance
of this matter, as they threatened to extract their contract from the Paris agreement.
Case study 2: China
In contrast with Australia, there is strong dedication shown by China’s government to mitigate
the consequences of climate change as seen by their investments towards renewable energy and
environmental protection projects. Shuang Liu, a senior associate at the World Resources
Institute, reported that the country issued a ban on fossil fuel factory projects and has seen a
robust commitment from Chinese banks who declined investments in building such factories
(Prytherch et al. 2023). Moreover, they have even stopped overseas investments in coal projects
since September 2021 (Xue, 2023). It is clear that China prioritizes climate change and enforces
policies to address it.
Another crucial action taken by the Chinese government is enacting a nationwide strategy for
wetlands protection, animal species protection, and conserving natural habitats while also
growing forested areas in the country (Davidson, 2023). The government has not only worked
towards protecting the environment but has also heavily invested in electric vehicles such as
battery-operated, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles. The London School of Economics
estimated that China has around ten million new-energy vehicles which account for more than
half of the world’s total. Many policy-makers have praised China’s efforts including Cory
Combs, associate director at China’s Trivium and responsible for the country’s climate policy,
who commends China as ‘remarkably ambitious on its renewable energy goals’ and reports that
the country will produce 1200 GWatts in renewable energy by 2030 (Combs, 2022).
Overall, China presents an excellent example of a committed government with a comprehensive
and multi-faceted approach involving businesses working together to address one of the most
significant challenges facing the planet.
Case study 3: Morocco
Morocco is another splendid example of countries striving at their highest capacity to confront
the threat of climate change head-on. The country has established the NOOR concentrated solar
plant that is predicted to produce 35% of Morocco's electricity needs by 2030 (African
Development Bank Group, ND). The government is also intensifying its efforts and aims to
source 52% of total electricity from renewable energy in the next decade (Utilities Middle East
staff, 2024). In addition, the government has ceased investments in fossil fuel projects by
officially lifting all subsidies on oil, diesel, and natural gas products. This brings many benefits
including an accelerated transition towards cleaner energy sources like solar, wind, and
hydroelectric power, decreased demand for fossil fuels, and contributes to a large reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions.
Another large-scale project is the Plan Maroc Vert designed by the Moroccan government to
enhance agricultural productivity and help it become a driving force in the nation’s economy
(Mathez and Loftus). Not only does the project utilise sustainable agriculture practices that
preserve soil health and enhance water conservation, but also promotes reforestation to increase
forest areas, and relies on solar power for all farming operations. This investment, therefore,
helps mitigate the carbon footprint of agriculture. Overall, Morocco with its strategic plans and
investments is actively pursuing ambitious initiatives to combat climate change.
Ways to Help Reduce Eco-anxiety in Youth
Circling back to the topic of eco-anxiety, it is primarily influenced by betrayal and the lack of
trust that youth feel associated with governments and businesses around the world. As discussed,
countries like Australia, China, and Morocco have put varying amounts of effort in the fight
against climate change, and need to accelerate their efforts in order to rest the minds of the youth
and protect their uncertain future. A recent study suggests that governments and mass media
could play an important role in decreasing the effects of eco-anxiety in young adults.
Because of the continuous coverage about the deteriorating state of climate change in scientific
articles, documentaries, novels, and everyday news, it is very difficult for youth to not feel
eco-anxious. The study also emphasized the need of mass media such as news channels and
social media, and how they can put efforts into reporting more accurate information about
current and future predictions about climate change while also reporting the efforts taken by
local businesses in combating it. It also claimed that governments need to become more
transparent about the investments, projects and strategies that they plan to implement to help
regain the trust and confidence that youth have in them. Overall, it is crucial that global powerful
entities take steps to inform the youth about the protective strategies they are investing in the
youth’s future as this will greatly help reduce eco-anxiety.
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