CLIMATE ANXIETY CRISIS: HOW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE COPING WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
CLIMATE ANXIETY CRISIS: HOW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE COPING WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Summary/Abstract: Climate change is a worldwide crisis that has been linked to a range of negative health outcomes, both physical and psychological and younger generations are increasingly feeling the weight of it. Researchers have made a giant stride in providing adaptable strategies to this menace. However, there is a dearth of factual and representative survey research that focuses on the experiences of youths in Osun State concerning this threat. Therefore, this study examined how youths are coping with the psychological toll of climate change in Osun State Nigeria. The study used a descriptive survey to collect data from 157 youths who were randomly selected from the three senatorial districts in the State. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts with percentages were used to analyse the data. The results showed that most youths are experiencing a high level of worry about their health, education, and future. The majority have experienced mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, phobias and panic attacks, sleep disorders, cognitive deficits, increased risks of suicide and intellectual disabilities. However, youth are taking action to mitigate the impact of climate change. They have embarked on proper waste disposal, self-education to feel empowered, reducing energy consumption and engaging in climate change activism. Therefore, adults should actively engage in this fight as their involvement will provide a form of reassurance, and model pro-social and eco-friendly behaviours for the youths.

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