“Eco-anxiety” in young people: How to turn it into collective action

72% of young people between the ages of 16 and 25 experience eco-anxiety —a chronic anguish about the climate crisis—according to the latest WHO report. But far from being a passive disorder, this phenomenon is becoming the driving force behind the largest wave of environmental activism in history. Here we explore how to channel this emotional energy into real change.

What is Eco-anxiety? Symptoms and Scope

• Definition: Anxiety stemming from the perception of a catastrophic environmental future.
• Common symptoms:
  • Insomnia due to recurring “climate thoughts” (48% of cases).
  • Guilt over consumer habits (35%).
  • Paralysis in the face of the magnitude of the problem (27%).
• Key fact: 1 in 4 young people hesitate to have children due to ecological collapse (Lancet Planet Health 2025 study).

Why Eco-Anxiety Is a Positive Force

• It indicates planetary empathy: It shows an emotional connection to the Earth.
• It breaks denial: 80% of climate activists started out of anxiety.
• It creates urgency: It accelerates the transition to sustainable lifestyles.

5 Strategies to Turn Anxiety into Action

1. Specialized Group Therapy

• Example: Climate Circles (sessions where emotions are shared and local actions are planned).
• Results: 70% of participants move from anxiety to activism within 3 months.

2. Targeted Digital Activism

• Platforms: Eco-TikTok has 300 million videos with the #EcoAction hashtag.
• Viral Tactics:
  • Greenfluencers exposing corporate greenwashing.
  • Short-haul flight cancellation campaigns (#StayGrounded).

3. Tangible Restoration Projects

• Reconnecting with nature:
  • Community reforestation (e.g., Reforestamos México).
  • Beach cleanups with scientific data (Litterati app).

4. Empowering Climate Education

• Activism Schools:
  • Fridays for Future Academy: Online courses in nonviolent communication and environmental lobbying.
  • Extinction Rebellion Training: Strategic civil disobedience.

5. Cathartic Art Spaces

• Examples:
  • Eco-anxiety Museum (installations with plastic collected from the ocean).
  • Climate rap: Songs that make IPCC data go viral.

Success Stories: Young People Who Transformed Their Anguish

• Emma Lim (Canada): Created the #NoFutureNoChildren pact (500,000 supporters).
• Vic Barret (USA): Sued the government for climate inaction (Juliana vs. US case).
• Disha Ravi (India): Digital platform to connect farmers and activists.

What to Avoid: When Eco-anxiety Becomes Toxic

• Burnout activism: 20% of young people drop out due to exhaustion (savior syndrome).
• Infighting: Purisms that divide movements (“vegan or failure?”).
• Green cyberbullying: Attacking individuals instead of systems.

The Role of Adults and Institutions

• Educators: Include climate resilience in curricula (e.g., Education for the Planet program in Spain).
• Psychologists: Ecotherapy training (200% more demand since 2022).
• Governments: Spaces for real youth participation (not tokenism).

Resources to Start Today

1. Ecological Footprint Test (Global Footprint Network).
2. Carbn App: Tracks emissions and suggests actions.
3. Map of local groups (Greenpeace Youth).

“Let’s not silence fear: let’s transform it into rage and rage into power.” — Greta Thunberg.