Both are being exacerbated by climate change , and the future they portend has left Maddie feeling helpless, anxious and scared. Without reducing those emissions, climate change will make natural disasters, food shortages and rising sea levels even worse, experts say. In particular, “areas that suffer direct, visible effects of climate change … have been observed to face acute impacts such as trauma, shock and PTSD.”Young Angelenos described similar emotions and mental stress when contemplating the climate crisis. AdvertisementOthers are throwing themselves into climate activism as a way to deal with the stress. Many young Californians said volunteering with climate advocacy groups like the Sunrise Movement or for politicians who have made climate change a central plank in their platforms has given them a sense of purpose.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 27, 2020 12:56 UTC