Climate Brief: Youth Under "Profound Psychological Distress"

[appalachiablue]

- Daily Kos, Sept. 18, 2021.

It’s hard not to feel reality has been upended upon reading an article by physician and medical writer Dr. Neha Pathak, who explains how the human body reacts to dealing with extreme heat. When humans experience temperatures beyond their ability to handle, she says, “our nerves stop communicating, our proteins unfold and our cells disintegrate.

“In essence, on a cellular level, we melt.”

It’s no wonder that a study released Tuesday found young people are experiencing “profound psychological distress” over global warming and inaction on the part of their governments to address the issue. Many report the anxiety is impacting their ability to lead a normal life.

The “future is frightening” for ¾ of study respondents (ages 16-25), who feel betrayed by the inept government response to the climate crisis.

“Such high levels of distress, functional impact and feelings of betrayal will inevitably impact the mental health of children and young people,” the authors of the study warned, concluding that “… the realities of climate change alongside governmental failures to act are chronic, long term and potentially inescapable stressors; conditions in which mental health problems will worsen.”

Katie Oran, a 25-year-old wildfire planner from California is one of many potential parents who are deciding not to have children. "I think almost every single one of my friends, none of us want to have children," Oran said. "Just because thinking about bringing children into an uncertain future doesn't necessarily seem fair. We talk a lot about where we should move, where is safe ... I don't really know if anywhere is safe [though]."...

- More,
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/9/18/2052197/-Climate-Brief-Youth-under-profound-psychological-distress
_________
- Young People Say Climate Anxiety Is Affecting Their Daily Life, CNBC
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/14/young-people-say-climate-anxiety-is-affecting-their-daily-life.html



- The Persistence of Memory (1931) by Salvador Dali.

[DanieRains]

1. Wait Till The Climate Gets Worse - Lots Worse

They won't be using the word distress....

[ffr]

4. It's already disturbing how the nights do not cool off anymore. Winter nights even, are mild.

Fresh drinkable water may already need to be rationed. The future for all life on Earth looks bleak. Maybe in a thousand years after the human caused great dying, Earth's 6th extinction event, Mother Nature will sort it out and move forward.

Mankind could get a much needed push if Mitch McConnell would just shove off. He's blocking progress on all fronts. Look no further than the grim reaer himself.

[BigmanPigman]

2. They seem like a thoughtful and realistic group.

I am not 25 but agree with what the article is stating, and I would even go further. The worries amd concerns are realized by those over 25 too.

[appalachiablue]

3. Include people 25+ for sure. From the link:

It isn’t only youth feeling existential angst about climate change. In a poll conducted last year by the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 70% of adults reported feeling “somewhat anxious” about the impact of climate change on the earth; more than half are concerned about the impact on their mental health.

[NickB79]

5. My 11 yr old daughter just told me this a few days ago

"The future is scary."

[Mosby]

6. One would think that young people would vote at higher rates

If they were really concerned about the future.

[appalachiablue]

7. Agree, and that's a major point which Dems

should stress to encourage turnout if they haven't already.

[electric_blue68]

9. "we tried, but you were yawning"...

While these are lyrics are from a song that has nothing
to do with this issue...

They partly reflect how I feel after spending time being a semi-activist in the early through mid '80's on the issues
of Renewable Energy.
It certainly didn't help that fucking Reagan won. 🤬

We could have been so much further along this
road even 15 years ago! I think I still have the Dept of Energy's solar, maybe other renewable energy pamphlet from then President Carter's Administration.
😞 Reagan took down Carter's WH solar panels.

I feel for myself, but also for my youngest cousins (and 25 yr olds and under in general) who'll endure the brunt of this way longer than I will. Even my favorite cousins in their late 30's, early '40s.

I don't totally despair except on rare occasions but this is such a vast crisis with so many interlocking parts.
I sure wish the phrase "climate change" had been high lighted more at the start than "global warming" which
people like Rushbo made merciless fun of re polar bears, and other artic type animals.

It might have made more of a different - people understanding it'd bring a mix of less, and more rain, stronger storms depending in different areas. Less snowing general, but maybe more in some places. Of course yes the rise in temperature, thus polar ice, less moutain snow packs, etc.

Sigh.