4 chapters across the catalog
A study published in The Lancet found that over 50% of U.S. youth are "extremely worried" about climate change. In response, universities like Cornell are reframing their curriculum to focus on "solutions and emotions" to combat climate anxiety. Critics argue that media outlets like NPR are "terrorizing" children with data, necessitating these new academic coping mechanisms.
Climate Anxiety Groups, Frontline Workers and Youth Distress
Therapists identify three primary groups suffering from severe climate anxiety: frontline scientists, individuals who have suffered direct losses from natural disasters, and children. Young adults are reportedly reconsidering major life decisions, such as starting families, due to fears about the planet's future. This psychological distress is linked to historical instances of children expressing public grief over environmental policy.
Political Vernacular, Children's Climate Fears
The phrase "climate change" is traced back to 1990s Republican focus groups led by Newt Gingrich, who sought a less threatening term than "global warming." A series of interviews with children aged 9 to 15 reveals deep-seated fears about melting glaciers, animal habitat loss, and the potential for human extinction. The children call on adults and governments to take immediate action rather than "sitting back."
Contagious Stress and Climate Change Anxiety in Youth
A study from the Max Planck Institute suggests that stress is contagious and can be transmitted through television and observation of others. This phenomenon is linked to rising anxiety levels in children who are exposed to alarming climate change reporting in schools. The reporting suggests that teaching young children that the Earth is dying leads to significant psychological distress and resentment toward older generations.
