Unusually Hotter Than Ever: The Truth About Why Gen Z’s Done Chilling

The striking truth that there isn’t another planet patiently waiting to welcome us and the fact that if things come worse to worse, we ourselves will either be burning due to the excessive heat or drowning due to the melting glaciers is probably the reason why this Zoomer generation, for once, isn’t taking an issue lightly.  Like it or not, climate change is real.

Witnessing The World Change: Hot And Hotter

While we didn’t have the chance to grow up in a generation where the heat was barely an issue we saw parts of it during our childhood. We felt the weather drift from feeling the beautiful rays of sunshine to burning because of the unbearable scorching heat of the sun. Thus, our generation was impacted the most. Millennials might have enjoyed the last taste of stable weather, and Gen Alpha may never know what that feels like. But Gen Z? We’re the ones who watched the world change before our eyes.

What Is Climate Anxiety?

Imagine standing in front of a tsunami you can’t stop, but you’re expected to act like everything’s normal. That’s exactly what climate anxiety is. The American Psychological Association defines it as ‘eco-anxiety’—a chronic fear of environmental doom. For many, it’s more than just worry; it’s stress, guilt, and even existential dread about the planet’s future.

And Gen Z? We’re feeling it the hardest. Why? Because we were practically raised on climate crises. While previous generations were busy debating whether climate change was even real, we were growing up watching the world burn—literally.

Why Hot and Why Now?

From #NoPlanetB to climate strike walkouts, Gen Z is rallying like no other. According to a 2023 study, over 70% of young people report feeling ‘hopeless’ about climate change. But it’s not just hopelessness—it’s frustration. We see corporations greenwashing their way out of responsibility, governments moving at a snail’s pace, and a system built on overconsumption.

Plus, it’s in our culture. Climate anxiety is now part of meme culture, music, and everyday conversations. Think about Billie Eilish’s lyrics, TikTok trends around ‘apocalypse-core,’ and even influencers shifting to slow fashion. We’re obsessed with the future—because we’re terrified we won’t have one. Many in the Genz population have already chosen to never have children in their lives and a major reason for this is the fact that our beautiful Mother Earth might be facing its inevitable doom at the rate that it’s going. The tricky part is that climate change is a systemic issue, yet the pressure often falls on individuals to ‘fix’ it. The result? Burnout and eco-paralysis, where the sheer scale of the crisis makes people feel like giving up.

Digital Activism: Yay or Nay

Social media is a double-edged sword when it comes to climate awareness. On one hand, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have mobilized an entire generation, making climate activism more accessible than ever and making the population more aware of the issues than ever before. On the other, constant exposure to climate disasters, corporate greenwashing, and political inaction can make young people feel powerless. The ultimate truth that even after knowing it all, no one is actually doing anything to majorly change the situation is least to say, disheartening. 

However, social media isn’t all bad. It has given rise to climate influencers—young activists who use their platforms to educate, inspire, and advocate for change. Figures like Greta Thunberg, Vanessa Nakate, and Leah Thomas are proof that digital activism can spark real-world action. 

Turning Point

But here’s the thing: anxiety means you care—and caring is powerful. The best antidote to this seemingly inevitable nightmare? Action. It’s about channelling fear into tangible steps that create impact. We need to do something and we need to start NOW. Here are some steps you could start off your climate-conscious journey with:

• Join the movement: Whether it’s Fridays for Future or local climate strikes, collective action is louder than individual worry.
• Vote with your wallet: Support ethical brands, ditch fast fashion, and be mindful of greenwashing.
• Advocate for change: Push for policies that hold corporations accountable. Sign petitions, write to representatives, and demand action.
• Educate and inspire others: Share factual climate information, uplift grassroots movements, and encourage conversations about sustainable living.
• Reduce, reuse, resist: While personal responsibility won’t solve everything, small choices—like minimizing waste, choosing public transport, and adopting plant-based meals—add up when done collectively.

An Anxiety Only For The Privileged?

It’s important to acknowledge that climate anxiety isn’t experienced equally across the world. Marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South, aren’t just anxious about climate change—they’re living through its worst effects. They don’t have enough for themselves to take further steps and try to give back to the environment. Thus, even though they can’t do anything, they still need to face the worst end of the stick by not having a choice but to live through the consequences of climate change.

While privileged individuals may fear rising temperatures, many indigenous and low-income communities are already being displaced by floods, droughts, and extreme weather. Climate justice is about recognizing that those least responsible for the crisis often suffer the most.

Gen Z understands this nuance better than previous generations, which is why many young activists advocate for intersectional environmentalism—a movement that connects environmental sustainability with social justice.

In Conclusion

The climate crisis is massive, but so is our potential to change it. Feeling anxious means you’re part of the generation that refuses to look away. And that? That’s a sign of hope.

Yes, the world is on fire. Yes, the challenges ahead are daunting. But Gen Z is proving every day that we aren’t just anxious—we’re ready to fight for a better future.

So, the real question isn’t just ‘Is climate anxiety real?’—it’s ‘When are we doing something about it?’

And the answer to that? It’s in our hands.

The time for just talking is over. Change starts with us—what’s your first step?

Author: Elisabeth Soumya Prakash

REFERENCES

1. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240305134319.htm 
2. https://e360.yale.edu/features/for-gen-z-climate-change-is-a-heavy-emotional-burden 

https://phys.org/news/2024-03-gen-climate-anxiety-real-action.html