9 The climate crisis is already playing into the life decisions of young people, some of whom are opting out of higher education or choosing not to have children. Younger people are prone to climate related negative mental health because of their increased awareness of the climate emergency and a lack of support to help manage their concerns. Government inaction adds to this loss of hope, especially when governments make decisions that are detrimental to the climate in the face of strong evidence of harm. Growing media and social media coverage of the situation, including a growing genre of “doomer” literature, promotes a sense of despair, hopelessness, and sealed fate. 8 Disadvantaged communities are more affected by the negative mental health effects of climate events. Degradation of living and working environments, forced migration, and displacement all disrupt communities and cause long term psychological distress. 6 7 Climate effects that may not seem directly health related, such as crop failure, loss of livelihood, and displacement, also undermine mental wellbeing. On a global scale, and across age groups-with perhaps a heightened effect on young people-climate change increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and suicide. 4 5 This is exacerbated by an increase in highly visible, extreme, prolonged, and frequent climate related events. 3 But evidence is growing that the climate crisis threatens mental health and wellbeing as well. They include traumatic injuries, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and hunger and emerge through diverse pathways. The effects of climate change on human physical health are well established.

1 These events threaten the health of humans, wildlife, and habitats and are wreaking permanent and irreversible destruction on earth systems.

2022 brought new record temperatures, floods, storms, wildfires, and droughts across the world.

It is impossible to ignore the damage humans have inflicted on our planet.

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