Humanity's strength has always been its ability to adapt. How to cope with climate change

Many media and politicians broadcast and repeat distressing environmental news, creating an atmosphere of anxiety, especially among young people.

Among this negative news, the cries of alarm about climate change occupy an important place, if not the top spot. A term has emerged to describe how young people feel about this: eco-anxiety.

Young people find the future frightening

The study entitled"Dans la tête des éco-anxieux" (In the minds of eco-anxious people) carried out in 2022 by the Institut Jean Jaurès, highlights the extent of the phenomenon and the malaise and consequences among young people. Here are three key points from the study:

Youth anger

Eco-rage among young people reflects an intense and well-informed frustration with current responses to climate change. This anger is not limited to superficial discontent. For some, it is rooted in a critical understanding of environmental policies and their implementation. Many young people have a burning desire to see concrete and immediate action from governments and businesses. They are calling for stronger policies and bolder initiatives to tackle climate change effectively, reflecting a demand for responsibility and action at all levels of decision-making. Paradoxically, many of them also fly on city-trips, revealing a certain cognitive dissonance, not to say incoherence.

A mixture of anxiety and hope

The anxiety-hope duality in the context of climate change, as experienced by young people, is complex.

• On the one hand, environmental anxiety is high, fuelled by awareness of the immense challenges and potentially serious consequences of climate change. This anxiety manifests itself in feelings of worry, fear and sometimes despair about the future of the planet.
  
  
• On the other hand, there is a sense of hope, supported by active participation in collective movements and environmental initiatives. Young people find hope in collective action, solidarity and the ability to bring about positive change, even on a small scale. This hope is reinforced by a belief in the effectiveness of concrete actions, whether individual or collective, to combat climate change and build a more sustainable future.

This duality creates a dynamic where anxiety and hope feed off each other, motivating young people to remain engaged and active in environmental issues.

Another consequence: a falling birth rate

Young people's thinking about motherhood and fatherhood is strongly influenced by their ecological concerns. Many of them consider the environmental impact of population growth and the future challenges their children could face as a result of climate change.

How can we help young people feel better about the climate?

A few different ways of looking at the issue can make it a lot less anxiety-provoking.

Taking a step back from what's beyond our reach

In dealing with climate challenges, it's important to recognize the importance of taking a step back from the things that are beyond our control. Focusing exclusively on the things we can't change can lead to feelings of powerlessness and anxiety.

By accepting the existence of factors beyond our control, we can better channel our energy and attention into concrete, achievable actions. This keeps us engaged and effective, while maintaining our mental well-being and long-term motivation.

Make daily gestures to feel consistent with the situation

Here are a few suggestions for daily gestures that can help us feel that we are acting coherently with the climate situation:

• Adopt a more plant-based and local diet to reduce the carbon footprint of our plate. You can start with one vegetarian meal a week, then gradually increase.
  
  
• Optimize travel by walking, cycling or taking public transport. Telecommuting and carpooling are also good approaches.
  
  
• Compost your organic waste if you have access to a garden/balcony. In addition to reducing household waste, the compost produced is an excellent natural fertilizer for plants and helps capture atmospheric carbon. Many municipalities now offer composters at reduced prices. Otherwise, a simple heap or silo will do just as well! By composting the organic fraction of our rubbish (peelings, coffee grounds, meal leftovers, etc.), we can easily reduce the volume of our waste by a third.
  
  
• Reduce energy consumption at home through simple eco-gestures: turn down the heating, unplug unused appliances, install LED bulbs... Every little gesture counts.
  
  
• Consume more responsibly by limiting impulse buying, choosing sustainable products, and renting or buying second-hand whenever possible.

By adopting these reflexes on a daily basis, at our own pace and within our means, we can feel a greater coherence between our convictions and our lifestyle. Every gesture is important!

Why do these gestures help us to be less eco-anxious?

Adopting eco-responsible gestures on a daily basis can actually help reduce eco-anxiety or anxiety linked to climate change. There are several reasons for this:

• It gives us a sense of control. By taking action ourselves, we regain a sense of control over the situation, and this reduces feelings of powerlessness.
• It helps with cognitive coherence. By aligning our actions more closely with our deepest environmental ideas or values, we reduce the internal dissonance that causes tension.
• This creates psychological resilience. By adopting a more sustainable lifestyle, we also mentally prepare ourselves for the systemic changes to come.
• This generates optimism. Seeing that simple gestures can have a positive impact reinforces the conviction that the fight against climate change is not in vain.
• It gives us a sense of belonging. Personal involvement links us to a broader collective movement for the climate.
• It frees us from guilt. By living more in line with our deepest values, we free ourselves from a weight of guilt.

Optimism and faith in humanity

• In the field of renewable energies, for example, innovations such as floating offshore wind turbines and concentrated solar power offer the prospect of clean, affordable production.
  
  
• Carbon capture and sequestration from industrial emissions holds great potential for reducing atmospheric concentrations. But its technical and economic viability has yet to be proven.
  
  
• Advances are being made in crop resilience, coastal zone protection and weather forecasting. However, solutions often need to be specifically adapted to each region, and require substantial investment.

Facing up

Future climate forecasts are widely shared by the media and political figures, and can give rise to legitimate concerns. Let's not give in to panic, but prepare to face up to the situation and act at our own level. It is likely that humanity will be able to demonstrate its ingenuity and solidarity in adapting to the challenges ahead.

Our species possesses a remarkable capacity for innovation and resilience, and throughout history we have demonstrated that through collaboration, science and technology, we can overcome even seemingly insurmountable situations. The fight against climate change will be no exception.

Admittedly, the scale of the task may seem daunting. But rather than giving in to panic or fatalism, we need to cultivate optimism.