At the 17th Green Accord International Forum in Treviso, Krzysztof Zadejko discussed the psychological impact of climate change on young people. His research highlighted that while youth awareness of climate issues is high, it often results in fear and uncertainty about the future rather than proactive measures. Over 40% of young participants reported a lack of long-term planning, with many even reconsidering life decisions like starting a family due to climate anxieties.
Zadejko noted that these feelings are exacerbated by other global concerns such as war and health crises, creating a pervasive sense of instability. He criticized the current education system for inadequate climate education, which he believes is too limited and inconsistent.
He also pointed out a generational gap, stating that older generations often lack awareness of their environmental impact. Zadejko emphasized the importance of using research to drive action and political engagement, calling for greater cooperation among governments.
He warned that inaction could lead to increased isolation among young people, who feel unsupported. Zadejko argued for the necessity of more comprehensive research on climate change’s effects on psychological and social well-being, especially across different cultural contexts, as current findings are only partial.
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