Abstract

Growing concerns about sustainability risks, particularly climate change, are causing anxiety among many, especially young people. Research from various countries highlights that young individuals often experience deep worry and even despair about the future. In this presentation, I will explore studies on how people, with a focus on youth from mid-childhood to early adulthood, cope with the realities of climate change. I will discuss how these coping strategies influence their engagement in climate-related actions and how these mechanisms impact young people’s mental well-being. Finally, I will explore the broader implications for climate and sustainability education, as well as effective communication strategies.

Bio

Maria Ojala is a professor of socio-ecological resilience at the University of Oulu, Finland, with a PhD in psychology. She also works part-time as an associate professor (docent) at Örebro University, Sweden. Her research primarily focuses on how young people engage with global sustainability challenges, particularly climate change. She specializes in exploring emotional responses and identifying key factors that foster resilience and transformation.

This webinar is one of several initiatives carried out by GrACE – Green Europe: Active Citizenship and the Environment, an international teacher training programme led by the University of Trento. It aims to provide educators with comprehensive knowledge of environmental issues and the EU’s strategies for tackling the climate crisis, along with innovative methods for teaching about green issues.