A solid majority of young Americans is very worried about climate change

A new study delving the emotional and psychological impact of climate change on 16,000 young Americans .

A clear majority of young Americans between the ages of 16 and 25 are either very, or extremely, worried about climate change.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they were either very or extremely worried when asked, “How worried, if at all, are you?” and more than 85 percent said they experience some level of climate anxiety.

Climate distress waxes and wanes at various stages of life.

People from Gen Z , with fewer economic resources and people of color are experiencing the highest levels of climate distress.

3 percent of Americans are already experiencing clinically significant climate anxiety, and 3 percent are so distraught over climate change, they meet the diagnostic criteria for depression.

The climate emotions wheel is a riff on the traditional emotions wheel common to therapists the world over.

Laid out in a tiered rainbow pattern, there are four core emotions— anger, positivity, fear, and sadness.

The 23 secondary emotions range from inspiration to indignation with everything from loneliness to panic to hope in between.