Now, new Simon Fraser University research into the full range of emotions kids and teens feel around climate change is providing one of the clearest pictures yet of how the climate crisis is reshaping young people’s daily lives, future thinking and sense of security.
“We have a generation that doesn't know if they want to have children or not, especially young women and girls, and we have youth who don't know what kind of a world to prepare for or what kind of an environment they'll be growing up into,” says Gislason, associate professor of health sciences and study co-author.
“Eco-emotions are our effort to develop a larger vocabulary around what’s happening and reflect the complexity of experiences and emotions beyond anxiety.”
Key findings: Eco-emotions in Children and Adolescents
The rapid review study, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology , analyzed 48 international qualitative and mixed methods studies on emotions related to the awareness of climate change and ecological degradation in children and adolescents up to 19 years old.
Some emotions like anger, apathy, and feelings of betrayal are more likely to be expressed when youth can describe their experiences in their own words, through focus groups and interviews, instead of simply answering survey questions, says Judy Wu, PhD candidate and lead author of the study.
Many young people reported they struggle to talk about climate change-related emotions with peers or adults, fearing judgment, guilt or dismissal, especially when they live in regions perceived to be less impacted by climate change, she adds.
The study also found Indigenous youth and those living in regions already experiencing severe climate disruptions reported immediate impacts, like changes to activities and interruptions in daily life, rather than more distant fears for the future.
Today’s youth are already experiencing high rates of stress, anxiety and depression as a background issue, and climate change only amplifies anything that's pre-existing, explains Gislason.
“Many don’t know what kind of world they’re growing into. We, as adults, are also wrapping our heads around climate change,” she says. “We may not always know what to say, but we can show up, help them integrate what they’re feeling, and decide what to do next so they’re not facing this alone.”
Young people have creativity, imagination and the ability to dream into reality a different kind of future, she adds. “When we engage young people's 'heads, hands and hearts' to tackle these issues, we’re utilizing their intellects, their actions and their emotional intelligence to make change.”
The study review found environmentally themed programming shows promise in helping youth turn negative eco-emotions into hope and optimism and build personal and collective resilience. Gislason says she hopes to see this emerging evidence-based research drive positive changes in school curriculum, therapeutic supports, and other policies affecting kids and mental health.
Researchers also suggest helping kids engage in individual activities that help them feel empowered and encourage feelings of agency, connection and optimism. Those activities and actions often look different for different age groups:
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Eco-emotions in Children and Adolescents: A rapid review of the qualitative literature
20-Dec-2025
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.