Presenter Information

Anjali BoseFollow

Start Date

13-12-2021 11:05 AM

Description

As climate change becomes a larger threat, its negative impact on mental health, specifically Gen Z, is more prevalent than ever. With climate anxiety growing increasingly common, young adults on a global level feel dismay and dread when having to interact with environmental media. As a 2021 psychological study shows, 58% of the 10,000 young adults surveyed believed climate change was unstoppable, and not worth engaging in.

While most current climate change reporting results in higher degrees of climate anxiety, certain cases have broken this trend, instead positively spurring action. An example of this is the reporting surrounding the Aleutian sea otters rapidly decreasing population due to climate change-related habitat loss. News coverage has directly led to public interest and financial support towards the Aleutian sea otter and their struggle. Through analysis of the media coverage surrounding this issue, demographic testing, and primary observations of sea otter presentation in general public education, the conditions in place that garner this reaction can be found. By utilizing this data, new blueprints can form for environmental journalism which instigates action rather than anxiety. Overall this helps o inform people in a hopeful and productive way, encouraging activism over ignorance.

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Mentor: John Dorsey

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    Dec 13th, 11:05 AM

    Climate Anxiety Solutions through Aleutian Sea Otters

    As climate change becomes a larger threat, its negative impact on mental health, specifically Gen Z, is more prevalent than ever. With climate anxiety growing increasingly common, young adults on a global level feel dismay and dread when having to interact with environmental media. As a 2021 psychological study shows, 58% of the 10,000 young adults surveyed believed climate change was unstoppable, and not worth engaging in.

    While most current climate change reporting results in higher degrees of climate anxiety, certain cases have broken this trend, instead positively spurring action. An example of this is the reporting surrounding the Aleutian sea otters rapidly decreasing population due to climate change-related habitat loss. News coverage has directly led to public interest and financial support towards the Aleutian sea otter and their struggle. Through analysis of the media coverage surrounding this issue, demographic testing, and primary observations of sea otter presentation in general public education, the conditions in place that garner this reaction can be found. By utilizing this data, new blueprints can form for environmental journalism which instigates action rather than anxiety. Overall this helps o inform people in a hopeful and productive way, encouraging activism over ignorance.