Got net-zero news, project updates, or product launches to share? Children’s anxiety rises due to climate change
**Tuesday 3 September 2024**
Research conducted recently has revealed that children between the ages of 12 and 18 are expressing their growing concerns about climate change. This issue has been brought to the forefront by a new campaign initiated by the renewable electricity producer 100Green, shedding light on the increased worries of children regarding the impact of climate change.
Among those surveyed was Jack, a ten-year-old, who boldly stated that he would single-handedly stop climate change if given the opportunity. This statement is a poignant reminder of the innocence and optimism children possess in the face of such global challenges.
The campaign spearheaded by 100Green follows a study conducted by the respected children’s charity, Save the Children, which uncovered that nearly 70% of the 3,000 children surveyed are grappling with climate anxiety. Shockingly, children of today are projected to face seven times more heatwaves during their lifetimes compared to their grandparents’ generation.
Doug Stewart, Chairman of 100Green, expressed his thoughts on this concerning trend, stating, ‘As we navigate the path towards achieving our climate and net-zero objectives, it is not surprising to learn that even children as young as ten are genuinely anxious about the state of the world they will inherit.’
Emphasising the importance of parental influence, Green100 highlights that parents need to lead by example by taking proactive steps, educating themselves, and maintaining a positive outlook when addressing climate change with their children.
Gwen Hines, Chief Executive of Save the Children UK, shared her apprehensions, remarking, ‘This generation of children is poised to inherit a world plagued by deep inequalities if immediate action is not taken. The extent of anxiety experienced by children regarding the world they are growing up in is not only alarming but also justified. Instead of being filled with optimism about the future, children are burdened with the weight of enormous global issues that they had no role in creating.’
Hines further stressed the urgency of listening to the voices of children and initiating concrete actions to combat the climate crisis and tackle escalating inequalities.
**Join our growing community**
If you wish to continue reading this compelling article, we invite you to log in or register with one of our membership tiers to gain access to exclusive content.
