Dory Miller | Eco-Anxiety epidemic: How Gen Z activists are channelling fear into solutions

From coast to coast, Gen Z has witnessed the destruction of the places they love, from childhood homes to college campuses. Entire communities have been impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, and other climate disasters, yet young people are expected to carry on as if nothing had changed.

Gen Z is increasingly concerned about species disappearing from the planet, and for many young people who are religious, this seems to be in direct opposition to the teachings of their faith. With habitats being destroyed, biodiversity in decline, extreme weather, microplastics in human bodies and the food chain, and environmental laws in rollback mode in the US, and scientific funding under threat, the future can feel overwhelmingly bleak.

This relentless cycle of catastrophe – coupled with the expectation that it is all business as usual – has taken a significant toll on their mental well-being. Not because they are weak, but simply because it’s a hell of a lot to deal with. Even those not directly affected experience trauma second-hand through their family and friends being impacted, the constant media coverage, leary headlines, and a pervasive sense that the health of the planet is going into the wrong direction.

A 2023 report by the American Psychological Association found that Gen Z experienced heightened levels of stress and trauma associated with the threat, or even the direct influence, of climate disasters. In 2021, a global study further emphasised that 45 per cent of Gen Z reported that climate anxiety affected them daily, a figure that will likely increase in 2025 as environmental uncertainty rises.

While conversations about mental health are far less stigmatised today, Gen Z is calling for more than just awareness; they want action to address the root causes of their distress. Here’s how to get involved in peaceful action.

FROM ANXIETY TO ACTION

Rather than letting eco-anxiety immobilise them, many Gen Zers are turning their despair into determination. This urgency is central to events like ZCON, a groundbreaking conference that transforms Gen Z values into tangible action by harnessing the power of social media and influencer-activist collaboration.

Whether you are a member of Gen Z or not, make your voice heard by pledging your Earth Action on social media using the EARTHDAY.ORG Social Media Toolkit. You can start here by signing our petition to advance renewable energy as part of the 2025 Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet!

THE PLASTICS PROBLEM

Plastic pollution is infiltrating both the environment and human bodies. Disturbingly, a 2021 study found that adults could ingest an average of 50,100 microplastic particles throughout their lifetimes. Even Gen Zers who consciously minimise plastic use struggle to avoid exposure to these harmful chemicals.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s Associate Director Aidan Charron is no exception. Charron was shocked to learn the extent of plastic contamination in his body. In an interview with Newsweek, he highlighted the misconception surrounding BPA-free products. Even reusable water bottles, often considered safer and more eco-friendly, can still leach BPA substitutes into our bodies and the environment.

“I didn’t use single-use plastic for pollution reasons and health reasons too. I fell into the trap of thinking that BPA-free, reusable bottles were safer because that was the information I saw at the time. I now know that when something says BPA-free, that does not necessarily mean it is bisphenol-free,” Charron said. Gen Z’s frustration over plastic’s pervasiveness has sparked a wave of youth-led local activism. At a Bay Area high school, students formed an environmental club called Greens, which meets weekly to strategise plastic reduction efforts and educate peers about recycling.

Their efforts include beach clean-ups and “watch” committees that help classmates properly sort waste. Now, high schools across the country are following suit and forming similar environmental clubs, demonstrating how community-level initiatives can make a difference.

Take action by joining EARTHDAY.ORG’s End Plastics Campaign and fight plastic pollution by signing the Global Plastics Treaty. Looking for a more hands-on way to help? Organise or participate in a local clean-up event through The Great Global Cleanup.

EDUCATION FOR EMPOWERMENT

Many Gen Z students recall learning about environmental catastrophes in high school science classes, but received little to no guidance on how to take action to prevent these events in the future.

Education can empower students with the agency they need to address these environmental challenges rather than filling them with existential dread. At UC Berkeley, student-led courses known as DeCals enable students to teach one another about sustainability. Sage Lenier’s ‘Solutions for a Sustainable and Just Future’, created by the Berkeley graduate, provides students with the knowledge and tools required to take climate action. Lenier now leads Sustainable & Just Future, a nonprofit helping schools to implement similar programmes nationwide.

That is precisely why EARTHDAY.ORG is working to expand environmental literacy in K-12 schools and higher education, ensuring climate education and civic engagement are accessible to all students. Support this cause by signing the Climate Literacy Petition and urging global leaders at COP30 to integrate environmental education into curricula worldwide.

GEN Z VERSUS FAST FASHION

From Shein to Amazon, Gen Z is no stranger to fast-fashion. While many young consumers are fuelling the industry’s success, they are also increasingly aware of its environmental cost. Fast-fashion textile waste contributes 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually. Yet, the pressure to keep up with these fleeting trends – exacerbated by social media algorithms – encourages these unsustainable shopping habits.

Sheng Lu, a fashion studies professor at the University of Delaware, acknowledges that these brands “intentionally try to influence Gen Z students through social media”. However, young sustainable fashion advocates are pushing back. Jazmine Brown, a Gen Z content creator, turned her love of thrifting and garment repair into a sustainable fashion brand. Her platform, Sustainable Baddie (@sustainablebaddie_), encourages others to embrace secondhand clothing, mend worn items, and find the fun in fast-fashion alternatives.

To hold the fast-fashion industry accountable, our Fashion for the Earth initiative not only spotlights ethical brands and how you can shop more sustainably, but also advocates for systemic industry reform. Want to get involved? Sign our petition urging the EPA to regulate fashion’s ecological and social impact: The Fashion Industry Must Change.

DON’T PANIC – TAKE ACTION AND FIND HOPE IN SOLUTIONS

As Gen Z faces mounting climate anxiety, their response is clear: Channel fear into action. Through activism, education, and sustainable consumer choices, young people are proving that the fight for a liveable planet is far from over, despite the inaction of older generations.

Engaging in environmental action fosters a sense of community and purpose, counteracting the burn-out and disconnection caused by the climate crisis. In the face of uncertainty, Gen Z is demonstrating that hope is not passive; it is built through collective action, creativity, and adaptability.

Join the movement today and take action with us to unite behind renewable energy. Whether you plan to attend or organise a rally, sign one of our petitions, or all of the above, this is your chance to make every day Earth Day. The future of humanity depends on it.

Dory Miller is a writing intern at EARTHDAY.ORG and legal studies and American studies student at the University of California, Berkeley. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.