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Course:CONS200/2025FL1/Gen-Z, Green Nihilism, and Environmental Degradation

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Introduction

Climate nihilism can be described as feelings of hopelessness and inability to make a change in relation to the climate crisis.[1] Generation Z (or Gen-Z), those born between the mid 1990s and early 2010s, is the first generation to grow up witnessing and experiencing the direct consequences of climate change and prior inaction.[2] This has led to widespread impacts on the emotional well-being and mental health of Gen-Z members, including feelings of worry or anxiety as well as conditions like depression, insomnia, and PTSD.[3] Feelings of despair and hopelessness about climate change also undermine political action[4], which presents a problem as Gen-Z reaches an age where they have influence in the workforce and in governments.

The root of nihilistic attitudes about climate change can be traced back to age, knowledge about the subject, and the framing of climate messaging individuals are exposed to[5][6]. Climate nihilism is associated with decreased likelihood to take part in climate action, which is an issue given the increasing global impacts of climate change.[4] Solutions to the nihilistic climate attitudes seen in members of Gen-Z range from psychological and emotional solutions to structural, social, and educational solutions.

Gen-Z and the Climate Crisis

Young protestors in San Francisco hold signs advocating for sustainable action against climate change.

1. Background

During the lifetimes of Generation Z, impacts of climate change have become increasingly extreme and widespread.[2] Projected impacts of climate change, such as an increase in temperature extremes, heatwaves, floods, droughts, and typhoons, have expanded to impact both the biosphere as well as the personal well-being and mental health of individuals around the world.[1] Growing up witnessing the worsening climate crisis has led many members of Gen-Z to engage in climate change activism, such as the Fridays for Future movement, which was organized by Gen-Z leaders like Greta Thunberg.[7] A lack of prior climate action as well as leadership shown by Gen-Z activists has led to them being described as the generation who will “save humanity from climate change”, but this association has led to members of Gen-Z feeling overly responsible and guilty for the issue and has increased their susceptibility to experiencing other negative emotions about climate change.[7] Notably, nihilistic feelings about climate change, such as hopelessness and a lack of ability to make a change, have been increasing among young people as of 2025.[4]

2. Scale and severity of climate nihilism

One prominent example of Gen-Z’s climate nihilism is “doomism”, the belief that catastrophic levels of climate change are inevitable and that it is too late to take any action to stop this.[4] Young people around the world experience feelings of distress when thinking about climate change, and a majority agree with the statement that “humanity is doomed”.[5] This outlook causes feelings of hopelessness, and conclusions that taking climate action or planning for a better future is futile.[4] These beliefs result in a state of despair in young people, which has negative mental health impacts and reduces their likelihood of taking part in climate action, in turn reducing the likelihood of social change occurring.[4]

For some members of Gen-Z, this distress has motivated involvement in protests and other forms of political action: young activists from Finland and the US experience emotions like sadness, worry, and anxiety in relation to the climate crisis.[1] However, climate anxiety can also become existential in nature, causing feelings like hopelessness and meaninglessness and leading to fatalistic beliefs about the future of the planet.[1] Fatalist thinking decreases political engagement, motivation to take climate action, and pro-environmental behaviours.[4] These views are influenced by the way young people interpret climate information and climate news.[4] A notable example is seen in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2018 report on the impacts of global warming above 1.5° Celsius[8], which identified 1.5° as a safer warming target in comparison to 2°. A majority of Gen-Z university students interpreted the 1.5° target to be a “point of no return”, beyond which nothing can be done about climate change.[4] Scientists have identified up to 15 biophysical tipping points which can be difficult or impossible to reverse or have chains of impacts throughout the biosphere if crossed, but none of these have been crossed as of 2025.[4] Climate change can still be mitigated to reduce further environmental harm if one or multiple of these thresholds are exceeded, and any current efforts to mitigate climate change help reduce the likelihood of crossing these tipping points.[4] Alongside misunderstandings of climate data, a lack of reporting on positive climate news, such as recent update in climate modelling showing that the positive impacts of reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be seen years sooner than previously thought, are reported on much less frequently than negative climate news[4]. This difference is notable since outlooks on climate change and the future largely predict likelihood to take climate action: young activists and non-activists both share pessimistic attitudes towards climate change, but activists show ‘active hope’ that their work can make a positive change, while non-activists show an acceptance of hopelessness and a view that nothing can be done to stop or slow climate change.[4]

People take refuge on the roofs of buildings following flooding caused by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. March 2019.

3. Variables influencing climate nihilism

Children and young people are more susceptible to climate anxiety and other related negative affects, and a higher percentage of young people experience negative climate emotions in comparison to older generations.[1] The majority of young people report experiencing a range of negative emotions alongside their climate concern, including sadness, anger, helplessness, and guilt.[5] In particular, children in the Global South experience higher rates of eco-anxiety as well as intense emotions like grief when thinking about climate change in comparison to children from the Global North.[1] Climate distress is higher in these nations since they have experienced more intense and direct effects from climate-related disasters like coastal floods and extreme weather events, and they tend to have less economic resources available to protect citizens from climate impacts compared to countries in the Global North[1].

Reasons for Nihilism in Gen-Z

Climate education and raising awareness are currently the main tactics used to increase climate action involvement among generations. However, consistent messaging about the impacts and urgency of the climate crisis causes feelings of despair and hopelessness[9], which negatively influences people’s likelihood to engage in climate action.[10]  Feeling hopeful about the outcomes of taking action regarding an issue is a key predictor in the motivation of physically taking action on that issue. This same phenomenon occurs with environmental issues: when there is optimism and hope about the impacts of taking climate action, likelihood to engage in such climate action increases.[6] There is a thin line between feeling motivated to take climate action as a result of troubling climate messaging and becoming overwhelmed by that same messaging to the point of feeling that no action would make a difference. As youth are more involved and therefore more sensitive to the state of climate change, many fall into the mindset of green nihilism as negative messaging is constantly circulating. This kind of devastating environmental news provides no "positive relief”: little attention or opportunity is provided for optimistic and positive messaging surrounding the state of the environment. Moreover, when climate activism is consistently seen to fall short of its expected goals, it leaves many with long-lasting feelings of hopelessness and distress.[11] With climate messaging disproportionately influencing climate nihilism, it is important to understand why young activists are experiencing intense climate-related emotions and resulting inaction.

School students take to the streets of Melbourne to demand climate justice.

1. Gen-Z’s Well-Being and Climate Action

The two biggest determinants of climate anxiety are knowledge about the climate crisis as well as its effect on one's life experience.[11] This is primarily why members of Gen-Z have limited ability to believe their actions will have an effect on mitigating harm done by climate change, making them vulnerable to feelings of environmental nihilism.[5] Regardless, Gen-Z has high levels of concern for environmental issues, with 80% of Gen-Z university students being either concerned or very concerned about climate change.[2] However, in this same group 65% “rarely” or “never” engage in social change. Likewise, climate anxiety, which is already high in younger generations, spikes considerably in youth who also consider themselves to be activists.[11] Many climate activists are well-informed about the climate crisis, leading them to have more mental health impacts from shortcomings in government action, intense disaster events, or negative climate news. Youth are more vulnerable than older age groups to feelings of nihilism, hopelessness, and anxiety in relation to the environment, regardless of their personal involvement in climate activism or passion for environmental issues.

2. Government and Gen-Z Environmental Engagement

Rising frustration in younger generations with existing political systems: 50% of young people state that lack of government action contributes to their feelings of environmental doom.[2] The lack of climate-compassionate policies from current governments leaves young people feeling less motivated and engaged in the climate movement, further enabling environmental nihilism.

Members of Gen-Z can connect more with traditional means of climate activism, such as protests, to combat climate anxiety and increase the likelihood of political change.[2] However, governments currently have the most capability to support youth experiencing climate anxiety by improving mental health supports and resources.

When youth are able to envision a climate-positive future fueled by motivation to act, balanced climate education, and government support, negative feelings of hopelessness and climate inaction become less prevalent.

3. Integrating Climate Action into Education Systems

Including climate change education as a part of elementary, secondary, and university education globally helps to increase engagement in social action. If the information provided within curriculums is holistic and includes both climate change impacts alongside current goals and solutions, youth can continue to stay knowledgeable without experiencing burnout from negative climate news[2] If information is not streamlined, youth who are passionate about the environment find themselves consuming overtly negative information.[11] This demonstrates that education and messaging that to includes content about positive progress and solutions to climate change increases feelings of hope and empowerment among young people in the face of the climate crisis.

Most youth participate in passive socio-environmental behavior, which is the act of staying informed about the state of the environment through different media sources. Properly integrated education surrounding climate issues helps turn feelings of hopelessness and anxiety into a motivation to take climate action.[2] Integrating climate action and information into education systems has the potential to change the current state of climate anxiety and environmental nihilism in youth.

Solutions to the Negative Impacts of Gen-Z's Nihilism on the Environment

Addressing the root of Gen-Z's nihilistic feelings towards the future of the planet is key to creating and implementing solutions. It is crucial to enact solutions as soon as possible considering the urgency of the climate crisis and the pace at which Gen-Z's development is affected by how they engage with climate education and action. There are several aspects of this issue which can undergo reformation to mold towards this specific generation and their unique relationship with the degradation of the environment, resulting in psychological and emotional solutions, educational solutions, and structural and policy-based solutions.

1. Psychological & Emotional Solutions

Youth creating positive associations with the outdoors

Addressing eco-anxiety, a core aspect of environmental nihilism, through supportive frameworks can transform feelings of despair into purpose. School-based counselling and structured discussions about climate emotions help youth reframe hopelessness as motivation for change.[12] Validating eco-anxiety rather than suppressing it also reduces psychological paralysis.[13] Programs that reconnect youth with nature, promote peer dialogue, and use therapeutic interventions help restore a sense of agency.[14] When Gen-Z feels emotionally supported and sees that their concern is shared, nihilistic withdrawal gives way to resilience and action.

2. Educational Solutions

As many members of Gen-Z are still within the secondary and higher education age ranges, education must be prioritized as a solution to address climate nihilism in youth. Incorporation of the history of global climate, impacting factors including human behavior, and how to mitigate effects of climate change provides students the chance to understand the science behind their world as well as actions that can be taken to improve it.[15] Additionally, integration of climate education into broader education systems encourages students to think about the need for interdisciplinary approaches to climate change solutions. The application of science, technology, arts, industry, and culture are all pillars of climate change mitigation and can cater to varying interests of student populations.[15] Gen-Z are also among the highest users of social and digital media.[16] Additionally, young people tend to respond more quickly to it as opposed to physical or verbal media due to its fast-paced, short-term nature.[17] Social media is also the main method via which Gen-Z consumes current news, which includes updates about global warming, climate disaster, and other effects of the climate crisis, which can lead to a negative association with news outlets and media providers.[18] To address this negative relationship and utilize it as a tool for empowerment rather than dejection, media platforms can share positive content related to climate action to fuel their largest base of users to adopt pro-environmental behaviors. Education-based solutions have the potential to not only inform but empower students who receive them.

3. Governance & Policy Solutions

The Sustainable Development Goals, adopted on 25 September 2015 as a part of the 2030 Agenda.

Lack of accountability from governments for their contributions to global warming from historically high levels of carbon emissions has led to Gen-Z populations across the world not feeling comforted by governmental action in the face of climate change.[5] On the contrary, young people often feel that their governments have failed them on the front of policy to combat the changing world, resulting in even higher rates of climate anxiety and depression.[2][5] This creates a need for governing bodies, especially those emitting disproportionately high amounts of fossil fuels, to acknowledge their role in the climate crisis and therefore the emotional distress imposed upon Gen-Z constituents. To mitigate both the negative effects of the climate crisis and the crisis itself, acute policy interventions and transparency must be implemented as soon as possible to best avoid increased emotional and environmental nihilism. This could include a mandatory carbon tax for high emitters, cap and trade programs, maximums for investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, and legal requirements to transfer energy systems into renewable ones. Simultaneously, governments can invest in emotional and psychological support programs for citizens to ensure the impacts of climate change and corresponding green nihilism are addressed and understood. In countries where governments listen to needs and expectations of citizens, they lead happier and more sustainable lives which demonstrates the ability of governmentally-implemented solutions to move citizens out of nihilism and into action.[19] Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between countries that emit less carbon and the increased happiness of the country’s inhabitants.[20] If governments can acknowledge their role in the climate crisis and act more sustainably while also emotionally supporting their constituents, their populations will experience less green nihilism, more hope, and act more sustainably themselves.

4. Structural and Social Solutions

System Change, not Climate Change Demonstration in Vienna during COP21. 2015.

Much of the issue of green nihilism in Gen-Z is rooted in emotional well-being and social interactions across populations including individuals, governments, people groups, and organizations. Due to this, changes to society’s structures must be made to address green nihilism and its negative impacts. Decision-makers as well as broad systems that reach many people like the education system and social media must acknowledge the fear caused by the climate crisis and its validity in the face of said crisis’ scale. The simple recognition of negative emotions related to environmental degradation shows those experiencing them that they are not alone and that their emotions can be re-channeled into positive action such as protest.[1] Additionally, usage of encouraging narratives related to climate in everyday life show that powerful, sustainable actions can be repeated confidently. On the online video-sharing site YouTube, media that avoids fear-mongering or neutral narratives and instead focuses on simple, inspiring messaging are more effective in spurring pro-environmental action in young people.[21] Witnessing an easy, straight-forward action like recycling on a globally-used platform demonstrates that the everyday person can easily act against environmental degradation. Additionally, a population is more likely to pursue collective action when hope is instilled within them. Gen-Z’s high online presence exposes them to the perspectives of personalities or celebrities that may share pro-environmental perspectives. This can encourage large followings to follow suit as it shows individuals that sustainable action is a priority for even the upper class, demonstrating that anyone can pursue collective action.[21][22]

Conclusion

Climate nihilism is a sentiment that is felt most deeply by those that have had to grow up with the recent impacts of climate change. Generation Z has not only had a great surge of motivation that has propelled the modern climate movement, but has created a great sense of despair and hopelessness. Though many studies suggest that younger generations are worried about our environment, their likelihood to continue to feel hopeful enough to keep fighting for climate justice becomes slim.[2] Even though environmental nihilism and eco-anxiety has affected many, there are various strategies that can be implemented to bypass its unhelpful paralysis. Ultimately, education is a leading contributor in both the problem and solution to climate-anxiety. Consistently seeing urgent messaging about the impacts of climate change have proven to heighten anxiety in younger generations, but in comparison, climate education in schools as well as engaging in more traditional means of climate activism, could be the solution this dedicated generation is looking for. Climate nihilism affects many, yet when working together with governments, and displaying/communicating climate urgency properly, it becomes possible to turn hopelessness into action.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Tsevreni, Irida; Proutsos, Nikolaos; Tsevreni, Magdalini; Tigkas, Dimitris (14 August 2023). "Generation Z Worries, Suffers and Acts against Climate Crisis—The Potential of Sensing Children's and Young People's Eco-Anxiety: A Critical Analysis Based on an Integrative Review". Climate. 11 (8): 2–3, 6–12. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11080171 Check |doi= value (help) – via MDPI.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Salguero, Rodrigo Bardales; Bogueva, Diana; Marinova, Dora (05 March 2024). "Australia's university Generation Z and its concerns about climate change". Sustainable Earth Reviews. 7 (8): 1–2, 8–13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42055-024-00075-w Check |doi= value (help) – via Springer Nature. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ Clayton, Susan D.; Pihkala, Panu; Wray, Britt; Marks, Elizabeth (15 February 2023). "Psychological and Emotional Responses to Climate Change among Young People Worldwide: Differences Associated with Gender, Age, and Country". Sustainability. 15 (4): 3540. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043540 Check |doi= value (help) – via MDPI.
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 Stuart, Diana (26 August 2025). ""I have no future" - the critical need to counter climate doomism". Environmental Sociology: 1–8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23251042.2025.2552388 Check |doi= value (help) – via Taylor & Francis.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Hickman, Caroline; Marks, Elizabeth; Pihkala, Panu; Clayton, Susan; Lewandowski, R. Eric; Mayall, Elouise E.; Wray, Britt; Mellor, Catriona; van Susteren, Lise (December 2021). "Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey". Planetary Health. 5 (12): E863–E866, E870–E872. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00278-3 Check |doi= value (help) – via The Lancet.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Geiger, Nathaniel; Swim, Janet K.; Gasper, Karen; Fraser, John; Flinner, Kate (August 2021). "How do I feel when I think about taking action? Hope and boredom, not anxiety and helplessness, predict intentions to take climate action". Journal of Environmental Pyschology. 76: 1–3, 5–6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101649 Check |doi= value (help) – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Nairn, Karen (10 February 2019). "Learning from Young People Engaged in Climate Activism: The Potential of Collectivizing Despair and Hope". Young. 27 (5): 435–438, 440–448. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1103308818817603 Check |doi= value (help) – via SageJournals.
  8. ↑ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2018). "Summary for Policymakers" (PDF). International Panel on Climate Change. pp. 4–11.
  9. ↑ Neale, Chris; Austin, Maura M. K.; Roe, Jenny; Converse, Benjamin A. (22 November 2023). "Making people aware of eco-innovations can decrease climate despair". Climatic Change. 176 (162): 1–5, 11, 17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03635-9 Check |doi= value (help) – via SpringerNature.
  10. ↑ Ojala, Maria (February 2023). "Hope and climate-change engagement from a psychological perspective". Current Opinion in Pscyhology. 49: 1–4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101514 Check |doi= value (help) – via Elsevier Science Direct.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Ediz, Çiçek; Yanik, Derya (24 October 2023). "The effects of climate change awareness on mental health: Comparison of climate anxiety and hopelessness levels in Turkish youth". International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 69 (8): 2157–2159 – via Sage Journals.
  12. ↑ Léger-Goodes, Terra; Malboeuf-Hurtubise, Catherine; Mastine, Trinity; Généreux, Mélissa; Paradis, Pier-Olivier; Camden, Chantal (24 July 2022). "Eco-anxiety in children: A scoping review of the mental health impacts of the awareness of climate change". Environmental Pyschology. 13: 4–6, 23–27. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.872544 Check |doi= value (help) – via Frontiers.
  13. ↑ Cosh, Suzanne M.; Ryan, Rosie; Fallander, Kaii; Robinson, Kylie; Tognela, Josephine; Tully, Phillip J.; Lykins, Amy D. (20 November 2024). "The relationship between climate change and mental health: a systematic review of the association between eco-anxiety, psychological distress, and symptoms of major affective disorders". BMC Psychiatry. 24 (833): 2–4, 14–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06274-1 Check |doi= value (help) – via SpringerNature.
  14. ↑ Baudon, Pauline; Jachens, Liza (13 September 2021). "A Scoping Review of Interventions for the Treatment of Eco-Anxiety". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (18): 13–16. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189636 Check |doi= value (help) – via MDPI.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Rousell, David; Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Amy (25 June 2019). "A systematic review of climate change education: giving children and young people a 'voice' and a 'hand' in redressing climate change". Children's Geographies. 18 (2): 192–195, 202–203. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2019.1614532 Check |doi= value (help) – via Taylor & Francis.
  16. ↑ Elkatmış, Metin (15 July 2024). "Examination of social media usage habits of generation Z". Frontiers in Pyschology. 15: 5–7. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1370823 Check |doi= value (help) – via Frontiers.
  17. ↑ Futó, Judit Edit; Karcagi-Kováts, Andrea (June 2024). "Understanding Gen Z's Climate Anxiety: A Look at the Latest Research". Cognitive Sustainability. 3 (2): 3–5. doi:https://doi.org/10.55343/cogsust.103 Check |doi= value (help) – via ResearchGate.
  18. ↑ Novak, Alison N. (13 May 2024). "News coverage of climate change and generation Z". Climatic Change. 177 (78): 78–79. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-024-03731-4 Check |doi= value (help) – via SpringerNature.
  19. ↑ Sameer, Yomna M.; Elmassah, Suzanna; Mertzanis, Charilaos; El-Maghraby, Lujain (29 April 2021). "Are Happier Nations More Responsible? Examining the Link Between Happiness and Sustainability". Social Indicators Research. 158: 267–268, 289–290. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02698-4 Check |doi= value (help) – via SpringerNature.
  20. ↑ Ko, Jeremy; Leung, Chun Kai; Chen, Xiaoxian; Palmer, David A. (30 October 2024). "From emissions to emotions: Exploring the impact of climate change on happiness across 140 countries". Global Transitions. 6: 234–239. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glt.2024.10.005 Check |doi= value (help) – via Elsevier Science Direct. line feed character in |title= at position 67 (help)
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Seelig, Michelle I.; Shata, Aya; Yang, Zixiao; Sd, Divya; Gao, Ya; Hu, Hao; Yang, Jingping (01 July 2025). ""Making the Environment Like A Cool Thing:" Exploring generation Z and Millennials' reception of climate change videos on YouTube". Atlantic Journal of Communication: 1–4, 7–10. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/15456870.2025.2525794 Check |doi= value (help) – via Taylor & Francis. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ↑ Kleres, Jochen; Wettergren, Åsa (28 June 2017). "Fear, hope, anger, and guilt in climate activism". Social Movement Studies. 16 (5): 509–517. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14742837.2017.1344546 Check |doi= value (help) – via Taylor & Francis.


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