Young generations are increasingly becoming more aware of global issues and concerned with the impacts of climate change. As this burden has practically been put into their hands to deal with, Gen Z continues to tackle the topic head on – but at what cost?

Whether it’s the noticeable long-term shifts in temperature or sporadic weather changes, most teens have a general understanding of what’s currently happening to the planet. While the changing climate is projected to continue this century and beyond, Gen Z shares a common characteristic of wanting to help the environment. 

Climate change is only beginning to become more and more significant to the world at large, and the demands of action are at the doorstep of younger generations. According to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, six in 10 of both millennials and Gen Z view climate change as a scathing threat to the United States’ interests.

Because younger generations are generally less concerned about threats to U.S. interests, it’s surprising to see they place climate change as the second most important issue, compared to Gen X, Boomers, and the Silent Generation making no room for it anywhere in their lists, according to Chicago Council polls. 

It’s clear that when it comes to sustainability, Gen Z cares deeply about the future of their planet. With their awareness of present day changes, they are willing to adapt their behaviors and actions accordingly, such as making “eco-conscious” decisions in spending money or what places they work for, says Ulster University. 

According to surveys conducted by Amnesty International and the University of the Bath, 10,000 teens deemed climate change as the largest issue facing the world, 41% said they were undecided about having children due to climate change, and 71% said the issue entirely is alarming. 

With heavy exposure to the present and projected impacts of the matter, comes the emotional and mental burden of anxiety and responsibility within Gen Z. 

Helen Ngyuen, a high school senior and Running Start student at Highline College says she does what she can when it comes to spreading the word, including being an advocate for her schools environmental club, or simply educating others about the topic when she gets the chance. 

Ngyuen feels that any and every action surrounding increasing awareness is an opportunity to make a difference, but it comes with the price of pressure in having to “fix” or “reverse” the damages she never signed up for. 

Climate anxiety is an all around predominant emotional reaction among those who are more engaged with the issue, such as learning about it or posting about it through social media.

According to an interview conducted by Yale Environment, postdoctoral Britt Wray at Stanford University says anxiety is most prominent among Gen Z, as they are constantly bombarded with new events of “climate disaster” and “ecological destruction” across a number of media platforms. 

With around 70% of millennials and Gen Z on multiple faces of the media, it’s hard to look away with pictures of polar bears at the brink of extinction, or peoples’ homes taken from them due to tropical storms and hazardous flooding.

Confronting this issue while maintaining the embarkment of adulthood isn’t easy work. In fact, climate anxiety can be part of what influences young adults’ decisions in where to go to college, whether to stay in their hometown or venture out, and whether they think having children in the future will be sustainable, according to Education Week. 

Climate change directly contributes to poverty, infrastructure destruction, and the displacement of many communities. With that, social justice plays a major role in recognizing that climate change is only emphasizing current social inadequacies. 

For everyone dealing with the mental impacts of climate change and the many forms of anxiety it manifests into is not easy. Depending on each person, it can reach any domain of one’s life and pollute the way we currently feel about our world and its future. 

As we are all trying to find ways to battle climate change and contribute to the environment, it’s also important we find ways to relieve the emotional and mental weight it tends to build up. 

According to Greater Good Berkely, climate anxiety is a “slow-burn stressor” that can lead to higher levels of anxiety disorders as it interacts with other life stressors, amplifying the negative effects on mental health. 

Climate anxiety being overlooked as yet another inconvenience in life emphasizes the need for a more integrated approach to mental health that considers how the roles of environmental, social, and individual factors play into it. 

While solutions to climate change may require social, economic, and systemic planning, there are steps we can take as individuals to tone down our worries, and focus our concerns on effective thinking and actions that fight for change and reduce further damage. 

According to Greater Good Berkely, compassionate attitudes allow those to create room for more positive, supportive relationships with others, as it is easy to isolate ourselves in times of fear and potential disaster. In doing this, we feel more motivated to work together in confronting these issues with an open and understanding stance. 

With compassion-based interactions with yourself and others, comes the sense of commonality, kindness, and wisdom. When choosing to be understanding and supportive to yourself and others, you realize that you aren’t alone, as struggle and hardship are universal experiences, while kindness can involve developing an understanding of deeper rooted conditions that bring about anxiety. 

A key step in reducing climate anxiety can also start with validation from “higher-ups,” or adults who often present optimistic approaches to conflict, according to Education Week. Young adults who are especially more concerned with the environment on a scholarly level depend on parents and/or teachers for support. 

Moments that lack certainty and direction require the coming together of everyone and the support from those who share the same concerns we all do. It’s ethical to dwell on the emotions and worries that arise surrounding the future of our planet, so long as we explore those fears with a community that’s willing to listen and take action without judgment.