From the fires in Wyoming, Hurricane Milton, earthquakes and landslides, natural disasters have been taking over headlines. Being overly aware of the climate situation at hand can lead to climate anxiety. In 2021, the Google search “climate anxiety” increased by 565%.
Students may feel a sense of helplessness due to climate change’s impact on their futures. St. George is experiencing an increase in heatwaves as a result of climate change. Average temperatures in the region have been rising since 1895. Extreme weather events caused by this, like droughts and sudden rainfall, can impact local ecosystems and water resources.
Cristina Martinez Busto, a junior environmental science major from Madrid, Spain, said: “In the very broad picture, our modern lifestyle comes with a price for the environment. Everything we buy, all the plastics we use, driving our cars; they all are related to energy consumption, which must come from somewhere.”
Education is proving to be a powerful tool. Environmental education helps students understand climate science and empowers them to take action. Students can participate in Utah Tech University’s Climate Resilience and Sustainability.
The university’s center integrates scientific, sociological and economic insights to better understand the local effects of climate change and drive meaningful actions.
Rico Del Sesto, professor of chemistry, said, “I think the more significant impact is through knowledge and understanding, and knowing how to find data-supported information from reputable sources.”
While initiatives like Utah Tech’s center aim to drive climate action and education, engaging students in these efforts poses challenges.
Jean Lown, a retired Utah State University professor of finance, consumer economics and leader of the St. George chapter of Citizens’ Climate Change Lobby, said: “Everything I read in the news and hear is young people are really concerned, and yet we have not been very successful… I don’t know how to get students involved. This is their future… I mean, I’m going to be dead in 20 years. I don’t know how to get them involved.”
To effectively fight climate anxiety, Dr. Lown recommends engaging in meaningful actions. Joining organizations like Citizens’ Climate Lobby and reaching out to local representatives is one simple way to make an impact.
“The best way to combat climate anxiety is to take action. Each month, members get a text and an email. They can send the email to their two senators and their one representative in less than five minutes. Hardly anyone does it,” Dr. Lown said.
Building a sense of community helps reduce climate anxiety by providing support and a shared sense of purpose. When students engage in environmental efforts together, they feel less isolated and more empowered, turning their concerns into meaningful action and hope for the future.
Busto said: “I used to be one of those who felt lost and didn’t know how to help the environment. I realized that most of the time the hardest part is simply getting up and starting to take action.”
Addressing climate change requires more than awareness, it calls for action at every level. By doing simple tasks, like reducing waste and conserving energy to supporting local environmental groups, students can make an impact.
As students become more involved, they can shift from feeling overwhelmed by climate anxiety to finding hope through collective efforts and tangible progress.
