One in three young people in Britain are scared, sad or pessimistic about climate change, with 28% feeling “overwhelmed”, according to a recent Woodland Trust poll for YouGov.
The survey found deep concerns about the future among 16-24-year-olds, with almost one in four (24%) saying fears over the climate crisis mean they are willing to consider, or have already decided, to have fewer children than they would otherwise like.
Woodland Trust chief executive Dr Darren Moorcroft said that the results were “alarming”:
“Young people are experiencing an epidemic of climate anxiety and are increasingly worried about the health of the planet. This new data shows that climate change is jeopardising more than just the environment, with people’s mental well-being and future life plans also affected.”
The YouGov poll, conducted in February 2023, showed that only 9% of 16-24-year-olds felt young people have a great deal of influence making decisions about climate change.
Good for mental health
Research showed that although seven out of 10 young people are worried about climate change and its effects, 86% of people surveyed felt that being outdoors and in nature had a positive effect on their mental health.
Hayley Jarvis, head of physical activity for the mental health charity Mind, said outdoor activities can be a great way to improve mental wellbeing:
“Ecotherapy, a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature, can be as effective as antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Getting away from modern life and into a relaxing outside space can allow us to switch off from everyday pressures, help relieve stress, and give us time to clear our heads.”
UK lacks green spaces
Along with improving our mental wellbeing, green spaces can help make us physically healthier too. Nature stabilises blood pressure and its effects have even been shown to increase anti-cancer cells, reduce the incidence of underweight births, and accelerate recovery from surgery.
But access to woodland is declining and tree cover in the UK is one of the lowest in Europe. The Woodland Trust’s State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report, published in 2021, found that the UK currently has just 13% woodland cover, compared to a European average of 37%.
Dr Moorcroft commented: “We know that being outdoors and among nature has a positive effect on mental health – but the level of access to green space in the UK is simply not good enough.”
He called on the government to give everyone access to green space within 15 minutes’ walk of their home by 2030.
Young People’s Forest
The Woodland Trust has long recognised the importance of empowering the younger generation in climate conservation, and put young people at the heart of the creation of the 400-acre Young People’s Forest at Mead in Derbyshire in 2018.
This is the first woodland created with the younger generation in mind: here young people are actively creating a forest for themselves and their community. Young people are deciding how the site develops, as well as planting 250,000 trees in the ground. Their commitment and passion offer real hope for the future.
Elyse White (aged 22), who works for the Trust as a forest engagement and environment assistant at the Young People’s Forest, said being close to nature has had “a monumental impact” on her life. She added:
“I suffer from anxiety, but the Young People’s Forest has contributed massively towards the transformation of my confidence. I have gained the most valuable experiences, had opportunities to learn, to physically take part in the project and to meet new people who have the same interest in appreciating and looking after our environment.”
We need more trees
As well as projects specifically designed for young people, the Woodland Trust has launched its Plant More Trees climate campaign with a mission to plant 50 million more native trees across the UK by 2030 and create a greener, healthier world for people and wildlife.
Three quarters of all people surveyed in the YouGov poll would be willing to plant, or have already planted a tree, with fewer than 10% saying they would not be willing to do this. The Trust has already planted more than eight million trees with young people and children.
Dr Moorcroft commented: “Trees and woods are integral to tackling both the nature and climate crises, but many young people miss out on both the physical and mental health benefits of being among nature.
“We know government recognise this and have ambitions to stave the freefall in nature by 2030. All the targets are right but action is sorely missing.”
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