Medical experts are sounding the alarm about the rise of "climate anxiety" in children and teens around the globe. 

"We see that a lot of young people are saying, 'I think my life will be worse than my parents' lives,'" a psychology professor at Suffolk University in Boston told CBS News.

Data from a study published in The Lancet Planetary Health in December 2021 found that young people are extremely concerned about the state of the climate crisis.

"Climate anxiety and dissatisfaction with government responses are widespread in children and young people in countries across the world and impact their daily functioning," the report stated. "A perceived failure by governments to respond to the climate crisis is associated with increased distress."

A large number of young people in the study reported that they feel a sense of hopelessness and worry that the human race will go extinct. Most also agreed that governments are not doing enough to address the issue and even noted feeling betrayed by them.

"Children are now turning to legal action based on government failure to protect ecosystems, young citizens and their futures. Failure of governments to protect them from harm from climate change could be argued to be a failure of human rights and a failure of ethical responsibility to care, leading to moral injury," according to the journal.

The non-profit Child Mind Institute suggests that parents allow children to express their concerns and fear of climate change but to also encourage them to be brave. The organization also advises that parents helping them manage their feelings and adopting ways to change their own habits can help mitigate the worry.

Share:
More In Science
Between Bells: February 15, 2018
Amazon surpassed Microsoft in market cap. McDonald's is making its Happy Meals healthier. Washington D.C. reacts to the Florida high school massacre. Plus, we hear from an entrepreneur who started the first studio of its kind in the fitness industry.
An "Edge" in the Cruise Industry
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, CEO of Celebrity Cruises, discusses the company's partnership with the Malala Fund. The new "Celebrity Edge" ship will debut later this year, and Malala Yousafzai has been named the ship's Godmother.
Closing Bell: February 14, 2018
Police in Florida respond to a deadly high school shooting in Parkland. Congressman Joe Kennedy talks about bringing the Democratic message to millennial voters, and President Trump's Infrastructure plan.
Closing Bell: February 13, 2018
Chipotle announces a new CEO. Dominos and Tinder and teaming up for Valentine's Day. The Director of National Intelligence sounds the alarm on Russia and the midterms elections. Sarah Kauss is the CEO of water bottle company S'well. Her small idea has turned into one of the most successful female-run businesses. Legal technology platform CannaRegs is on a mission to make sense of the legal landscape of marijuana for stakeholders in this growing space. Vermont Governor Phil Scott is asking legislators in his state to speed up equal pay legislation.
Space Odyssey of a Tesla Roadster
Rob Verger, assistant tech editor at Popular Science, discusses SpaceX's successful launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket that propelled Elon Musk's red Tesla Roadster into orbit.
Closing Bell: February 12, 2018
One of the biggest global consumers goods companies, Unilever, is threatening to stop advertising on digital platforms like Facebook and Google if the companies don't clean up their acts. Snap's Vice President of sales has left the company. A new report finds Facebook is losing a younger audience. Dow closed up 400 points after the most volatile week in two years.
Never Fold Your Laundry Again!
Seven Dreamers has created a robot that folds your clothes for you. The Laundroid can help eliminate the annoying process of folding from your life, but it comes at a steep price.
Healing Your Drained Brain
Dr. Mike Dow discusses his new book "Heal Your Drained Brain." Dow is a psychotherapist, bestselling author, and brain health expert.
The Financials of the Falcon Heavy
Lee Billings, space and physics editor for Scientific American, discusses the financials behind the Falcon Heavy. SpaceX successfully launched the rocket from Kennedy Space Center earlier this week.
Load More