How the climate crisis affects our mental health

Earlier this month, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that “a hotter future is essentially locked in.” The news of the changing climate and its effects can have psychological impacts, which experts call “climate anxiety.” 

According to recent studies, Millennials and members of Generation Z think and worry more about climate change than people in older generations.

Young people have grown up seeing the impacts of climate change, such as increasingly frequent and larger wildfires; extreme heat and drought; heavy rainfall and flooding.

Brandt Williams spoke with a professor of psychology who focuses on how climate change affects our mental health, and to two young people who are working towards a better outcome for the planet. 

Guests:

• Susan Clayton is a professor of psychology at the College of Wooster. She studies the psychological impact of climate change. 

• Niki Narasimhan is a 17-year-old incoming senior at Wayzata High School and high school leader with Youth Environmental Activists Minnesota. 

• Sophia Curran-Moore is a 17-year-old incoming senior at St Louis Park High School and a high school leader with Youth Environmental Activists Minnesota. 
  

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