Resource Type: Research & Articles

Place-based civic science (PBCS) can be a powerful tool to empower youth to act on environmental issues. This resource found that PBCS, as a method, resulted in youth feeling that they belong to a group larger than themselves and gained a sense of hope from working with others toward shared goals. PBCS is a teaching and organizing tool where young people partner on teams with older environmentalists, the teams study and act together to mitigate an environmental problem, and then present their efforts in a public venue. The youth involved in these PBCS teams were majority youth of color. This resource argues that PBCS can mitigate the stress and anxiety that young people can feel when learning about environmental issues without also being presented with ways to influence those issues.             

People who trust corporations less are more likely to participate in climate marches. This research from Germany surveyed 600 people, made up largely of younger people. It found that people who trust corporations less, trust their friends more, engage in more pro-environmental behaviors, and are more concerned about climate participate in climate marches more often; women also participate more than men. About 25% of people said they participate at least “sometimes.” About 6% said they participate in climate marches “often.”

This post includes a roundup of climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from this week’s public polls – including new polling on the Build Back Better plan, its key provisions, and its personal impacts.

There are numerous resources for those seeking to better understand climate emotions and those feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by the climate crisis. Eco-distress is a normal and reasonable feeling in response to the social, environmental, and economic impacts of climate change.