Help turn climate anxiety into climate action

May 18, 2026

I was saddened to read that a 2021 survey of 10,000 young people aged 16–25 across ten countries found 59 per cent were very or extremely worried about climate change and governments’ responses, while 75 per cent agreed the “future is frightening”. The countries surveyed were Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Portugal, the UK and the USA. Unsurprisingly, concern was highest in the Philippines (84 per cent) and India (68 per cent), where communities are already experiencing severe climate impacts.

Since 2021, with an even hotter planet and the election of a climate-wrecking US president, eco-anxiety has no doubt grown. So what can be done? The Australian Psychological Society says eco-anxiety can be an adaptive motivator for change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) treats climate anxiety as a rational response to a real threat and focuses on values-based action. A key ACT principle is that people do not need to eliminate climate anxiety before living meaningful lives.

The Australian Youth Climate Coalition is at the forefront of climate advocacy and action for young people. Older Australians can help by donating at aycc.org.au before June. Help turn climate anxiety into climate action.

ACT https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-cognitive-behaviour-therapist/article/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-as-an-approach-for-working-with-climate-distress/FBA5224AB25B44F9F02F2BB143C55628

AYCC https://www.aycc.org.au/