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.”
Twenty-five-year-old 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]."
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.
"We know that if we don't tend to what people are feeling, that they will turn inward on this and they will find themselves increasingly alone and under siege themselves internally," said Lise Van Susteren, a psychiatrist, author, and environmental activist. "I've said as bad as the storms are outside, the storms inside are even worse."
Co-lead author of the youth study Liz Marks from the University of Bath was shocked “to hear how so many young people from around the world feel betrayed by those who are supposed to protect them.”
“Now is the time to face the truth, listen to young people, and take urgent action against climate change,” she added.
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The New York TImes has a short audio: How Should We Parent in an Era of Climate Disaster?
The writers in Climate Brief work to keep the Daily Kos community informed and engaged with breaking news about the climate crisis around the world while providing inspiring stories of environmental heroes, opportunities for direct engagement, and perspectives on the intersection of climate activism with spirituality, politics, and the arts.
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