5-11 votes
11-16+ votes
Total votes
Stories of how climate change is shaping our world are never far from the news, but how often do we hear from the generations who will be most affected by its consequences? For this VoteTopic, we asked young people to discuss the extent to which climate change occupies their thoughts and causes them to worry. We are very grateful to UNICEF UK for their input on this topic. You can find out more about their work on climate change and children’s rights here. This week’s assembly explores COP30, which is taking place next month in Belém, Brazil. We hope to make voters’ voices heard there.
Primary 7-11, Secondary, 16+ & College voters were asked: “Does climate change worry you often?”, while Primary 5-7 voters considered: “Does climate change worry you?”
66,058 young people in the UK have taken part in this vote.
It worries me because it causes floods, storms, and wildfires.
We feel that climate change cannot be avoided so worrying about it feels useless.
While pupils don’t worry about it often they have said when it is mentioned and highlighted they do worry and know that it is a real issue.
Thank you to Unicef UK and Keep Britain Tidy for responding to our voters on this topic.
Adam Flint, Education Manager at Keep Britain Tidy
"This poll presents fascinating insight into the mindset of younger people in relation to climate anxiety. The future of the planet is a concern to this generation. Though secondary-age pupils don't worry about climate change as often as Primary pupils, findings show that it remains a concern for them, with an uptick again as they enter college-age.
The best way we can address this with young people is to talk - create a space for them to discuss their fears. Don't minimise them, but apply some balanced thinking and identify positive action that is taking place, locally and nationally.
Hope is the key to all climate action."
