THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN REDUCING CLIMATE-RELATED ANXIETY
Keywords:
Environmental education, climate change, eco-anxiety, mental health, resilience, youth empowerment, climate literacy, psychological adaptationAbstract
Climate-related anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety, is an increasingly prevalent mental health issue driven by concerns about environmental degradation and the future of the planet. As climate change accelerates, particularly among young people, feelings of fear, helplessness, and despair have become common. This paper examines how environmental education can serve as a key tool in mitigating climate-related anxiety. By increasing understanding, building resilience, and empowering individuals to take meaningful action, environmental education helps transform anxiety into proactive engagement. Through a review of current research and educational practices, this article explores how education fosters psychological resilience, critical thinking, and agency, especially when implemented through participatory and hope-based approaches.
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