Children in England said climate change makes them feel sad, angry, guilty and anxious in a new report published by University College London (UCL). Taken at the surface level, its findings are perhaps to be expected. But the study made a surprising discovery – these emotions are more common among girls.
The survey was completed by 11-14-year-olds from 30 schools across England. Of the 2,429 children surveyed, 36 per cent said they worry either ‘a lot’ or ‘all the time’ about how climate change will impact the world. Of these children, 44 per cent were girls and 27 per cent were boys.
A further 50 per cent of the girls and boys surveyed said the climate crisis worries them ‘a little’ meaning that only 14 per cent of children were unconcerned.
Why is there a gender gap?
Professor Nicola Walshe, the Executive Director of UCL Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education, suggested some reasons for the different emotions experienced by girls and boys. She said:
“It is well known that girls are more likely than boys to experience (and articulate that they feel) anxiety and depression more generally in their lives; however, within this study girls have told us that they are more concerned about climate change than boys, and feel more negative emotions about climate change than boys, including sadness, anxiety and shame.
There may be several reasons for this, including gendered societal norms for boys and girls. For example, it could be the result of differences in gender socialisation and the resulting value systems such that girls can be seen as being more compassionate and altruistic, thereby effectively assuming the role of the ‘carers’ of the environment. Alternatively, it could be attributed to the traditionally more feminist beliefs of egalitarian values, such as fairness and social justice.”
Are boys really more positive?
CLIMATE EMOTIONS: Girls and boys expressed different feelings toward the climate crisis. Data: UCL
The UCL study revealed just four feelings with which more boys identified than girls: Uninterested; optimistic; brave and happy.
It is a thought-provoking list. Are people saying ‘happy’ to be subversive? Is it just that boys care less? As ever, the answer is not simplistic. Professor Walshe said:
“Boys were more likely than girls to report positive emotions, such as bravery, optimism or even happiness. This could be interpreted that they are more of the opinion that solutions will be found that mitigate the most serious impacts of climate change.
Alternatively, and perhaps more likely given their other responses across the survey, it could be a sign of boys’ greater propensity for climate denial. Indeed, one study found that male adults are more likely to deny that the Earth’s warming is the result of anthropogenic carbon emission into the air.”
The study’s findings did not surprise Harry Simpson, the 20-year-old Co-Chair of Bristol Young Greens. As well as social norms, optimism and denial, Harry spoke of other factors that could contribute to these differences. They said:
“I think women, being a disadvantaged group, are likely to feel more powerless about the climate crisis, as opportunities to change the course of the [climate] movement and civil society’s thinking are denied because of the invisible glass ceiling.
They also are more likely to be affected by the climate crisis with extreme weather patterns shown to dramatically increase sexual violence rates. We saw this after Hurricane Katrina, for example.”
Climate for future
It is hardly surprising children worry. Global temperatures have been 1.5°C degrees above pre-industrial times for more than a year now; vast swathes of tropical forest were cut in 2023 (think 10 football fields per minute) and Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old from London, became the first person in the UK to have air pollution recognised on their death certificate.
As global temperatures rise, so too are the numbers of young people experiencing climate anxiety which is, according to Mental Health UK, a ‘sense of fear, worry or tension linked to climate change’. It is more than the occasional, niggling unease; climate anxiety can interfere with daily life. While discussing climate worry, Harry Simpson said:
“It keeps me up at night and informs decisions I make every day. It is already affecting where I choose to live – I am moving from a south-facing single-aspect flat to one that is double-aspect and mainly north-facing, as summers get unbearably hotter.”
Gin Lalli, a solution-focused psychotherapist and anxiety specialist, has noticed that climate anxiety is coming up more frequently with her clients. She said:
“I think there is so much awareness about climate change that it’s only natural to be concerned. Children are thinking of their own futures and actually, that’s quite healthy and gives me hope.
However, having children feel very anxious, sad, or depressed about it means that these feelings could spread into other areas of their lives – and that I find concerning.”
While not every child reporting climate worries in the UCL survey will also experience climate anxiety, the findings reveal the extent of concern among children. Only a meagre 16 per cent believe ‘the adults’ are doing enough to combat climate change.
Relieving climate anxiety
While Gin says staying up to date with climate news can be helpful, she warns against “doom-scrolling” on social media. Instead, she suggests taking action, such as climate advocacy or protesting to help channel feelings of anxiety.
At the same time, Gin understands that when faced with the immense scale of the climate crisis, it can be challenging for people to take the first steps.
“It’s not just having anxiety about what is going on with climate change, but the feelings of helplessness around it. People are finding it difficult to find things to do that could help them feel better,” Gin said.
Gin advises those feeling helpless to acknowledge and validate their feelings of anxiety as a “legitimate emotional response to the climate crisis”. When possible, she recommends focusing on action, not perfection, and celebrating small victories.
Solutions for schools
The UCL researchers hope their report’s findings can influence educational policy to improve how the climate crisis is taught in schools. Like Gin Lalli, the researchers recognised the positive impacts of climate action and Professor Walshe would like to see children taught about actions they can personally take to help the climate.
“Fear in relation to climate change can be exacerbated by feelings of powerlessness. As such, teachers should develop opportunities for engagement and action within schools, as well as demonstrating how small individual actions can make a difference” Professor Walshe said.
To further reduce feelings of hopelessness, Professor Walshe and her colleagues suggested making green careers information more mainstream. Many of the children surveyed were unaware of opportunities in this sector. Harry Simpson of Bristol Young Greens was supportive of this recommendation. They said:
“I think the recommendation of green careers provision would be transformational for both the prospects of women, their feelings around climate change, and the climate crisis itself.
Opportunities to take meaningful action will ultimately settle anxieties surrounding the crisis. It is another example of how social and climate justice are interdependent and often tackling one involves tackling the other.”
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing climate anxiety, consider checking out the following resources:
- Visit Mental Health UK for advice on coping with climate anxiety.
- Read advice from Greenpeace activists here.