Climate Change and Expectations for the Future of the Planet

Abstract

The chapter “Climate Change and Expectations for the Future of the Planet” discusses one of the more amorphous stressors for Generation Disaster as it’s difficult to measure the psychological impact of a chronic problem like climate change. Many emerging adults recognize the problem and experience varying levels of stress about it, sometimes referred to as “eco-anxiety,” and many are actively engaged in combating its effects. Others consider it a lower priority than the many acute stressors they’re trying to manage, but in general younger generations express far more concern about the problem than their elders. The chapter explores these reactions and the efforts of some emerging adults to cope with a stressor many feel they unfairly inherited.