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Nov. 12, 2021, 6:54 a.m.

What is 'climate anxiety' and why are so many young people suffering from it?

Summary

Nearly two-thirds of children and young adults said climate change will influence where they decide to live, according to a recent PBS NewsHour survey in partnership with The Generation Lab. A third said it would affect their decision to have children. Growing research shows young people are increasingly experiencing what’s known as “climate anxiety,” a chronic fear of environmental doom, according to the American Psychological Association.

Five Facts

  • Who is the focus of this piece and why?
  • What is climate anxiety?
  • When do some young people start to feel anxious and stressed about serious environmental problems, according to this piece?
  • Why is climate anxiety affecting youth in particular?
  • How does the story address the actions taken by leaders (those adults who hold power) to address the climate crisis?

Focus Questions

Have you or someone you know experienced climate anxiety? What issues specifically worry you or the person you know? Why are adults not doing more to help fight the climate crisis? If you were giving a speech at COP26, the big U.N. (United Nations) climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, wrapping up this week, what top three points would you make about climate change? Media literacy: The NewsHour broadcast segment on this piece is called Growing number of young Americans feel climate anxiety. Here’s what they need to cope. How does the piece answer the last part? Is there anything you would add?

For More

Missed the largest climate change lesson in the world? You can still participate in the Great Big Lesson here ! The Great Big Lesson comes from The World's Largest Lesson, an organization that creates resources for students who want to learn about the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, and find ways to take action on serious problems affecting the planet.
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Watch the latest NewsHour piece on the climate summit here: As COP26 winds down, is a breakthrough climate agreement in sight?
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