"This study offers the first large-scale investigation of climate anxiety in children and young people globally and its relationship to government response. We surveyed 10,000 young people...in ten countries. Data were collected on their thoughts and feelings about climate change, and government response. Respondents were worried about climate change (59% very or extremely worried, 84% at least moderately worried). Over 50% felt sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty. Over 45% 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. Respondents rated the governmental response to climate change negatively and reported greater feelings of betrayal than of reassurance" https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3918955
In the inaugural post of this blog dated September 18, 2019, I referenced a significant essay by Professor Bendell titled 'Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating Climate Tragedy.' In this work, Professor Bendell challenges the notion of despair as solely detrimental, dismissing it as paternalistic. He asserts that despair can serve as a crucial step in comprehending and responding to an overpowering reality, such as the climate catastrophe. This sense of despair might catalyze a transformative shift among the youth in affluent nations, prompting those with a high carbon footprint to transition from being contributors to the problem to becoming active participants in the solution.
PS - Let´s just hope the aforementioned despair does not lead to radicalization and eco-terrorism actions https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/10/climate-crisis-youth-movements-and-eco.html
