A growing number of Canadians — particularly young people — are feeling overwhelmed and hopeless about climate change, according to new research commissioned by the Department of Environment.Blacklock's Reporter says the nationwide survey found 37% of Canadians reported feeling hopeless about climate change, with 70% saying they are afraid of its impact on themselves, their friends, families, and communities. The sense of despair was highest among younger respondents, while Canadians aged 55 and over expressed more optimism, with 68% of them confident that solutions would be found.The findings, published in the report Public Opinion Research On The National Adaptation Strategy, were based on responses from 2,106 people and cost the federal government $54,070. Among the consequences of recent climate-related events, 19% of respondents reported physical health problems, 10% cited mental health struggles, and 6% said they felt isolated. Younger Canadians were twice as likely to report mental health issues and feelings of isolation.Despite growing concern, the report noted that 23% of Canadians surveyed remained unconcerned about climate change and its effects. When asked about trends in climate impacts, 66% felt they had worsened over the past year, while 25% said the impacts were unchanged and only 3% believed they had become less severe. Looking ahead, 20% said they expect climate impacts to remain the same over the next five to ten years.This latest report echoes a 2020 Department of Public Safety study that found climate anxiety had intensified among youth following a fiery speech at the United Nations by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. At the time, a majority of Canadians under 25 — 58% — ranked climate change as the most serious threat to children’s safety, outpacing concerns about guns, gangs, hate crimes, cyberbullying, and drugs.Thunberg’s 2019 address in New York left a lasting impression. “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,” she declared, accusing world leaders of betrayal. “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth.”Following her remarks, Thunberg marched alongside thousands in Montréal, part of a wave of youth-led climate demonstrations held across Canada, from Ottawa to every provincial capital.
