Planet Pulse tackles an urgent issue: youth climate anxiety. Climate or eco-anxiety isn't merely a passing sentiment. The distress is palpable. Young people are particularly concerned about climate change. Fear for their future, anger at inaction, and helplessness in the face of overwhelming challenges can lead to serious psychological implications, such as anxiety, depression, and even feelings of grief.
The UNDP found that 65% of those in the age group 18-35 consider climate change to be a global emergency. And that concern comes at a real cost. According to a 2019 study published in The Lancet ,young people are increasingly reporting distress, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness related to climate change. They highlight that 60% saying they felt ‘very worried’ or ‘extremely worried’ (C. Hickman et al ). Many associated negative emotions with climate change — the most commonly chosen were ‘sad’, ‘afraid’, ‘anxious’, ‘angry’ and ‘powerless’, and overall, 45% of participants said their feelings about climate change affected their daily lives.
The pressing need for Planet Pulse is made evident by the latest data from the 2023 UN SDG Summit. Merely 15% of the SDG targets are on course for fulfillment, with the remainder either stagnant or regressing. The data reveals a critical gap and an urgent call for action to accelerate sustainable development efforts on a global scale. Our project Planet Pulse aligns seamlessly with this global mission by focusing on empowering youth to tackle environmental challenges and climate-related anxiety.
These young individuals are not formally affiliated with climate action groups but are concerned about climate change. They are on the peripheries of climate discussions and might not be directly involved yet. Their backgrounds range from higher education to recent job market entrants. Despite varying levels of education and employment, they share a peripheral engagement in climate discourse and a desire to contribute. They are characterised by enthusiasm, concern, and a desire to address climate change.
This group includes individuals who mentor, guide, and educate young people on climate issues. They often have formal training in education, mentoring, or environmental sciences and work through institutions, NGOs, or independently. While knowledgeable about climate change, they may lack specialised tools to address youth climate anxiety.
These regions and inhabitants face severe climate change effects like extreme weather and rising sea levels. They are diverse socio-economically and demographically, with varying education levels. For example, Slovenian communities affected by the 2023 floods have heightened vulnerability and an urgent need for solutions to climate change impacts.