Does climate change make you anxious? (Medium)

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. Im Rob.

Sam

And Im Sam. When we about climate change, we usually talk about the effects on the planet, or the economic consequences. But all the being done by climate change is also having an effect on our minds, our mental health.

Rob

Fires, , floods, hurricanes, droughts… the list of climate emergencies goes on and on, and sometimes it all feels like doom gloom  � an idiom describing a situation that is very bad and without hope. This worry is leading to health problems, not just for the unfortunate people who experience climate events first-hand-, but for us all.

Sam

this programme, well meet one expert whos investigating the link between climate change and mental health problems and hoping find some solutions. And, as usual, well be learning some new vocabulary along the way.

Rob

But that I have a question for you, Sam. The 2021 UK census reported that three quarters of adults in are worried about the impact of climate change, and its a worry thats shared by the young. According to survey by Greenpeace, what percentage of young people worldwide say they feel worried about climate change? Is it:

) 74 per cent?

b) 84 per cent? or

c) 94 cent?

Sam

I think the figure will be high among young people, so Ill say b) 84 per .

Rob

OK, Sam, well find out if thats the correct answer later in the programme. The expert I earlier whos investigating this problem is Dr Gesche Huebner, senior researcher at University College London. Here Dr Huebner explains BBC World Service programme, The Climate Question, what shes been finding out.

Dr Gesche Huebner

I think we very clear evidence that, for example, hot temperatures - heat waves - are leading to an increased risk of and also other adverse mental health effects. We also have pretty good evidence that, for example, experiencing a natural - storms, flooding - are linked to negative mental health outcomes such as post-traumatic stress disorder or other anxiety .

Sam

Many people who experience a climate change event like flooding suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, often shortened PTSD  � a serious mental health disorder that can develop after a very bad experience like war, or natural like a flood or fire.

Rob

But according to Dr Huebner, even people without direct experience can suffer issues about what the future holds for our planet. This is known as climate anxiety, sometimes called climate doom  � a low-level feeling of nervousness or worry about the consequences of climate change.

Sam

These mental disorders are in terms of how intense they feel, but Dr Huebner describes them both as adverse  � having a harmful negative effect.

Rob

In all this doom and gloom, its easy to forget that many of the things are good for fighting climate change are also good for mental health. Heres Dr Huebner again, talking with BBC Services’, The Climate Question, this time focussing on positive things which can be done to help.

Dr Gesche

For example, if we get fossil fuel vehicles off the road we can improve the air quality, and we that per se can be good for mental health. If we change our road infrastructure to enable more walking cycling, again we have fewer… fossil fuel being burned but also, we know that walking and cycling are good for mental health. If we can change our road layout and create more urban greenspaces, we already know green and blue spaces are good for mental health.

Sam

Activities like walking and cycle reduce fossil fuels improve air quality, but they are also good per se  � a Latin term meaning ‘in and of itself’. is good for climate reasons, but also good in itself  � per se.

Rob

Dr Huebner also recommends urban greenspaces  � open areas for parks, plants and wildlife which are built into the design of towns and . With creative thinking like this, it may still be possible for todays young people to have a planet worth for. Speaking of which, Sam, its time to reveal the answer to my question.

Sam

Yes, you asked percentage of young people worldwide report feeling anxious about climate change. I guessed it was 84 per cent.

Rob

Which was the correct answer! Well done! Its a high percentage which is not surprising considering that its generations who will live with the consequences of what we do, or fail to do, today. OK, lets recap vocabulary weve learned from this programme about climate anxiety  � feelings of distress caused by worrying about climate change.

Sam

The idiom ‘doom and gloom’ describes the feeling that a situation is very bad and without hope.

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD isa serious mental illness that can develop as a result of a very bad , like a war or natural disaster.

Sam

The adjective adverse means having a harmful, negative effect.

Rob

Latin phrase per se, means ‘in itself’ and is used when considering the qualities of something on its own, in relation to something else.

Sam

And finally, urban greenspaces are areas in towns and cities which reserved for parks, trees and wildlife. Once again, our six minutes are up! Bye for now!

Rob

Bye !