Planet Pulse tackles an urgent issue: youth climate anxiety.
Climate or eco-anxiety isn’t merely a passing sentiment. The distress is palpable. Young people are particularly concerned about climate change. Fear for their future, anger at inaction, and helplessness in the face of overwhelming challenges can lead to serious psychological implications, such as anxiety, depression, and even feelings of grief.
The UNDP found that 65% of those in the age group 18-35 consider climate change to be a global emergency. And that concern comes at a real cost. According to a 2019 study published in The Lancet, young people are increasingly reporting distress, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness related to climate change. They highlight that 60% saying they felt ‘very worried’ or ‘extremely worried’ (C. Hickman et al).
The pressing need for Planet Pulse is made evident by the latest data from the 2023 UN SDG Summit. Merely 15% of the SDG targets are on course for fulfilment, with the remainder either stagnant or regressing.
The data reveals a critical gap and an urgent call for action to accelerate sustainable development efforts on a global scale. Our project Planet Pulse aligns seamlessly with this global mission by focusing on empowering youth to tackle environmental challenges and climate-related anxiety.
Project outcomes:
- Youth-Centric Climate Awareness Guide: A comprehensive manual designed to educate and inform young people about climate change, its impacts, and the actions they can take to reduce its effects.
- Climate Anxiety Self-Assessment Tool: A digital platform that helps young individuals gauge and understand their feelings and concerns about the climate, ensuring their mental well-being is catered for in the fight against climate change.
- Open Education Resources (OERs): A repository of learning materials, tools, and resources that support youth educator’s empowerment on climate-centric topics and a Dual-Track Online Course designed to give youth knowledge, strategies, and practical insights on climate change, enabling them to make informed decisions and take effective action.
- Youth Connect Portal: A digital platform designed to bridge the gap between young individuals and climate stakeholders, fostering collaboration, discussion, and joint actions
- Planet Pulse Virtual Learning Week: A week of immersive learning, workshops, interactions that bring together young people, youth workers/educators, and stakeholders for mutual learning and collaboration.