Future Worries? Examining Youth Participation with Climate Change and its Impact on Behaviour and Wellbeing

Author : Professor Matthew Hibberd

Abstract : Climate change is one of the key social and political issues facing national societies and the international community. Communicating climate change is seen as a fundamental part of tackling the challenges of a changing climate and broader sustainability issues. Key research (Hibberd, 2023), points to the challenges of engaging young people in climate change issues and one area of research links climate change to anxiety and mental well-being. While causing anxiety might encourage young people to take greater environmental action, possible negative thoughts might affect health for some. This research speaks to young people internationally, broadly defined at 18-26, identifying key themes identified and helping to shed more light on the impacts of climate change communications. The research will utilize focus group and interview methodologies and, where necessary, identifying some key social marketing campaigns linked to climate.

Keywords : Climate Change, Youth, Climate Communication, Eco-Anxiety, Sustainabili

Conference Name : International Conference on Political Participation and Society (IC2PS-26)

Conference Place : Singapore, Singapore

Conference Date : 15th Jul 2026