Climate Emotions and Coping

Climate Emotions and Coping Among Youth and Young Adults (YYA) is a five-year research project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The project addresses knowledge and action gaps and responds to calls from young people, practitioners, and policymakers for evidence and resources to support coping with complex climate emotions. 

 

In the context of the climate crisis and associated injustices, climate anxiety is increasingly common and concerning, particularly among youth and young adults (YYA). The first National Survey on Climate Emotions and Anxiety among YYA in Canada (conducted by our team in 2023) showed that YYA are navigating a range of challenging climate emotions, experiencing high levels of climate anxiety and associated impacts on mental health, and want more support for coping with climate emotions and anxiety. 

 

Our current project uses a multi-phase and multi-method design to synthesize, generate, and mobilize knowledge to advance coping through community-based and collective practices. Rooted in pragmatism, intergenerational justice, and interdisciplinarity, core project activities include a living umbrella review of the global research on climate anxiety and coping, a field of practice analysis examining how organizations are working with young people to support coping, focus groups with YYA, and a national survey on climate emotions and coping. Research activities are guided by a YYA Advisory Circle.