Gen Z’s Climate Anxiety: Thoughts on Future Disasters
Although not responsible for the climate crisis, Generation Z (Gen Z) is one of the most concerned generations about the future of our planet in the face of climate change.
The impacts of climate change are becoming more evident, attracting the attention of both young and old. However, it appears that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, experience climate anxiety more intensely than anticipated. Having grown up in a unique environment that shaped their identity and with rapid access to information, they are more aware of environmental risks, which fuel their concerns.
Who Are Gen Z?
The term Generation Z (Gen Z) refers to individuals born between 1996 and 2010, positioned between the Millennials and Generation Alpha.
A generation’s behaviors are often shaped by its upbringing. For Gen Z, their identity was influenced by the digital era, economic shifts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate concerns.
Referred to as “digital natives,” this generation grew up with the internet, adapted to its rapid evolution, and was introduced to it at a younger age than Millennials or older generations.
Climate Anxiety
Climate anxiety has significantly increased in recent years due to the worsening global warming crisis and its widespread consequences. This term describes a psychological distress caused by climate change and its impact on humans and nature, manifesting as thoughts and emotions related to future environmental disasters.
For example, someone might feel distressed about their grandchildren’s future and the survival of future generations. Climate anxiety is especially prevalent among Gen Z, many of whom are actively engaged in climate action, proposing sustainable solutions and working towards a more eco-friendly future.
A research study conducted in Australia found that a large percentage of university students from Gen Z experience climate anxiety. A survey of 446 students at an Australian university, conducted between September 2021 and April 2022, concluded that climate change is the top environmental concern for this generation. 81% of respondents expressed high levels of climate anxiety, with many using social media platforms to voice their concerns. The study was published in March 2024 in the journal Sustainable Earth Reviews.
The Impact of Climate Anxiety on Gen Z
Climate anxiety has a significant impact on Gen Z, influencing major life decisions:
- Personal Choices
Feeling responsible for the climate crisis, many in Gen Z make serious decisions about spending habits, family planning, and career choices, considering the environmental impact.
- Climate Grief
Climate anxiety often leads to climate grief, a deep sense of distress and frustration over the severity of the climate crisis. This can affect mental well-being, adding pressure and diverting focus from personal growth to solving an issue they didn’t create.
- Environmental Activism
Aware that they will bear the consequences of climate change, many Gen Z individuals engage in climate activism, organizing protests and participating in global climate conferences, such as COP (Conference of the Parties on Climate Change). They strive to mitigate the crisis created by previous generations to ensure a sustainable future for themselves and their descendants.
In recent years, Gen Z has gained significant recognition for its climate advocacy. Having grown up in an era of rapid environmental transformation, this generation is burdened by an ever-present concern about the planet’s future.
