Climate Change, the Stressor? "And a little child shall lead them"

According to a study I heard quoted on television last week, the rate of people presenting at doctors’ offices with stress, anxiety and depression symptoms has increased by something like 60% in the past five years.
Its occurrence is a noticeably greater in those in the late teenage years. (And the elderly, but more on that another day)

Anxiety and depression in young people. Do we know why?
We can have a guess. Climate change and the fear of future catastrophe would have to be a major factor in the case of these young people.
How do you think you’d feel if, at the start of your life, as you looked forward to setting goals for every part of your future existence, if you were faced with the fact that the world as previously known — as it has been for generations — is changing so drastically that our Planet Earth might be unliveable in their lifetime?

I have been so impressed with the turn-out of students at the recent Climate Change strikes/marches. Good on the kids for ditching school and joining in a protest about such a crucial subject many of their elders have dismissed. Someone has to do this and they are the people most affected. (Yes, I know many older people joined in as well and I am ashamed of myself for not making the effort to join them on the train into the city on Friday).

As for Greta Thunberg — what an amazing girl! (Surely I am not the only person who has had the phrase, “and a little child shall lead them” constantly in mind over the past days). Just look what she has created!

Of course, our politicians really DO know about climate change, but to accept the scientific evidence about it and then do something (BIG & WORTHWHILE) about it would affect the incomes of their major donors from the mining industry. Thereby affecting the chance or the outcome of who ‘runs’ the country.
Sadly, ego and money both play a huge part.

You see, it’s mostly all about money (and ego). But money is king and money rules the planet—for now!

Just wait, if you can, and see how the planet will fare once our world succumbs to further rising sea-levels, rising temperatures, rising increase of catastrophic bush fires and floods, leading to unliveable conditions.
Also, how will countries cope with the millions of people fleeing water-logged Pacific islands?
What will the wealthy mining magnates, hole diggers, coal, oil and gas promoters have to say then? Bugger all, I imagine, as they bunker down in their safe and secure havens.
 

So, back to the increasing tide of depression and stress.
Individually, I think we can help. For a start, everyone must keep up the pressure on politicians and people ‘in power’ about ceasing coal burning, coal producing and other carbon emission ‘habits’. Vote for 100% renewable energy; be serious about getting it done.


I have been refreshed by a recent holiday away from everyday stressors, but escape from some facts is not always possible.

Please feel free to add a comment.

Latest news item, 23/09/2019:
‘A dramatic new UN report paints a dire picture of the climate crisis, arguing that countries need to triple their emission reductions in order to keep global warming below two degrees.’