Climate change: Don't let doom win, project tells worriers

A new project has been launched to address rising climate anxiety in students.

Students at the opening of the new school said they felt despair and hopelessness about climate change.

They worry about how they will live in a world that is unpredictable.

45% of UK students worry about climate change at least once a week, according to a new survey.

Meg Watts, a literature student, said that she had experienced depression after being overwhelmed by the problems facing the planet. She sought therapy after she developed an eating disorder when she tried to cut out food.

The mental health charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind realized that young people were coming for counseling about their fears about climate change.

Ruth Taylor from Mind said that young people were worried about food security and whether or not to have children.

The project aims to address taboos around climate anxiety and give students the skills to manage their feelings. The project is one of the first to address the issue in the UK.

A series of climate cafes and an eight-week course teach students how to turn feelings of despair and anger into hopeful action.

Student volunteers are being trained to lead discussion groups that will extend to older generations in Norfolk.

After witnessing environmental destruction in her home country of Ethiopia, Azza Dirar felt depressed and despairing. She encourages students to tell the truth and appreciate the beauty of life.

At the launch on Tuesday, groups of students sat on chairs in circles and described their feelings about climate change.

Sometimes I feel like it is down to people-in-power that I have phases. One participant said that if we are not taking action, we are like climate deniers.

I have ups and downs. My future job will be about helping people, but sometimes I think what my education should be about if we can't stop climate change.

Negative news stories contribute to feelings of despair.

A few participants said that they were motivated, peaceful, and encouraged after the discussion, adding that sharing made them less alone.

Stephen Kirk said his fears about climate change began at school. He was angry and anxious after digging for information about global warming.

He explained that he feels alone with climate change and the emotions that he feels around it.

He said that the climate cafe was a safe place to just talk and not worry about how others will react.

I have come to terms with the fact that I was only born into this situation and that I can feel angry at it.

He said that he could use the anger and energy to make something good.

The medical student said he felt like he had been vindicated by the discussion. He said that he felt in control when he talked about his own experiences.

He thinks that climate anxiety is addressed more widely, because people are scared to feel vulnerable.

He believes that it is important for people to manage their anxiety because it will allow them to play a part in addressing the crisis.

39% of UK undergraduates reduced their meat consumption in the last five years, and 26% say climate change will affect their decision on whether to have children, according to a survey conducted by Yonder.

• Recognise your feelings - it's OK to feel bad about climate change
• Write down your anxieties in a list. Cross off any you can't control
• Find things that calm you down when you are distressed - it could be a song, exercise, or meditation
• Try to find something - small or big - that you can do and commit yourself to it

• For more information and advice visit the BBC Action Line