Is humanity doomed? Young Canadians share how climate change is affecting their outlook

Recent research out of Lakehead University shows that young Canadians are worried about climate change – and the crisis is deeply affecting their mental health.

Lindsay Galway, an associate professor at Lakehead University's campus in Thunder Bay, Ont., co-authored a paper earlier this year with Ellen Field, who is based at Lakehead Orillia, called Climate emotions and anxiety among young people in Canada: A national survey and call to action.

The responses were largely negative. Among the main takeaways were that young people are scared; 76 per cent of respondents find the future frightening, and nearly half think humanity is doomed.

Nearly 80 per cent of those surveyed said that climate change affects their overall mental health, and four out of 10 said it takes a daily toll on their well-being.

While much research has been done on the physical effects of climate change, its impact on people's mental health has been largely left out of the conversation, said Galway. The goal of this study was to fill that gap.

Galway and Field surveyed 1,000 Canadians aged 16 to 25 across Canada. Their approach largely replicated a global study that looked at climate change anxiety across 10 countries – in which Canada was not included. 

"This is really the first nationally-representative survey," Galway said.

What surprised Galway the most was the extent to which people are feeling the impact of the climate crisis. Then again, no previous generation has had to cope with an existential threat to this level, she pointed out.

"There's this really unique injustice here. Young people haven't contributed to the problem, yet they are dealing with the problem," she said.

A problem that is becoming increasingly urgent.

The purpose of the study, beyond collecting data, was to better assess what can be done to address people's growing anxieties.

But despite the negativity, 71 per cent of respondents still believe that together, people can do something to address climate change. Collective action is a key part of that, which serves the dual purpose of helping people process their emotions while also addressing the crisis itself, Galway said.

Last week, Lakehead students organized a protest outside the on-campus RBC in Thunder Bay in response to the bank funding fossil fuel projects. Galway, who said she often joins these events, praised students' efforts and said people can learn from young climate activists.

Chris Armiento, a recent Lakehead graduate and one of the organizers of Thursday's protest, said he didn't want people to get the wrong idea about what they were doing.