Young children feel “Betrayal” with government responses over climate change issue: Study

New Delhi: Climate change has important implications for the health and futures of children and young people, yet they have little power to limit its harm, making them vulnerable to climate anxiety.

As per study published in Lancet Planetary Health over the “Climate anxiety and dissatisfaction” with government responses are widespread in children and young people in countries across the world.

The findings came after the survey of 10 000 children and young people (aged 16–25 years) in ten countries (Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, the UK, and the USA; 1000 participants per country).

The data were collected on participants’ thoughts and feelings about climate change, and government responses to climate change.

Respondents across all countries were worried about climate change, with 59% were very or extremely worried and 84% were at least moderately worried. As per the data more than 50% reported each of the following emotions: sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty.

More than 45% of respondents said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning, and many reported a high number of negative thoughts about climate change.

Around 75% said that they think the future is frightening and 83% said that they think people have failed to take care of the planet. Respondents rated governmental responses to climate change negatively the respondent felt that they are “betrayal than of reassurance” adding that. “Climate anxiety and distress were correlated with perceived inadequate government response and associated feelings of betrayal” said the study.

The study also called for an urgent need for further research into the emotional impact of climate change on children and young people and for governments to validate their distress by taking urgent action on climate change.

As per UNICEF data of 2021, due to climate-related distress an estimated one billion children are at extremely high risk. This distress is understandable, given that a 2021 review found that children of present and future generations will bear an unacceptably high disease burden from climate change.

On the psychological stress of climate change the studies among children have shown that they often experience an additional layer of confusion, betrayal, and abandonment because of adult inaction towards climate change.

It showed that the psychological (emotional, cognitive, social, and functional) burdens of climate change are being felt by large proportions of young people around the world.

The Study further, mentioned that the Qualitative research has found that many children have pessimistic views of climate futures… it said even the Parents and educators also report hearing great concern about climate change from young people.

Furthermore, it is the first study to offer insight into how young people’s perception of governments’ responses to climate change is associated with their own emotional and psychological reactions.

Meanwhile, the Previous studies have shown that psychological distress about climate change exists, with affective, cognitive, and behavioural dimensions. The direct impacts of climate change disproportionately burden children and young people, at the same time as they are developing psychologically, physically, socially, and neurologically.

These reactions are reported by young people from a diverse set of countries with a range of incomes and differing levels of direct exposure to severe effects of climate change.