91% of five to 14-year-olds say Climate Change is their top worry
There’s only so much we can do to protect our little ones when it comes to the scary stuff on the news, and at some point, they’re going to realise what’s happening in the world around them.
We wanted to know just how much our young people are thinking about the world around them and how much concern this is causing them and how we can help.
We surveyed 3,089 young Australians aged between five and 14 to see how they feel about today’s society's perceived issues.
The results show that climate anxiety is no longer only an adult concern. Children are absorbing the same headlines, weather events and environmental conversations as their parents, and many are already thinking about what action should look like at home.
How the youth climate survey was run
For us to get the most honest insight possible, we specified that participants can have help from mum and dad to answer the questions but should not be influenced in any way. For context, the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index ranked Australia last out of 57 nations* for its climate change efforts.
Because the audience was young, the survey focused on plain-language questions about worry, news awareness and everyday family habits. That helped turn a complex topic into answers parents, teachers and households can understand quickly.
What children are most worried about
Here are some of the most interesting insights from the study. The strongest result was the gap between climate change and the other worries children were asked about.
When asked ‘what is your biggest concern in the world right now?’ respondents answered by ranking the following:
- Climate change and sustainability - 91%
- Friends and family relationships - 76%
- COVID pandemic - 61%
- Bullying - 39%
This does not mean children are unconcerned about relationships, bullying or the pandemic. It shows that climate change sits above those issues as a persistent background worry for many young Australians.
Where children hear about the news
Understanding where children get information from matters, because news sources shape both concern and confidence. The survey suggests family conversations and social media are especially influential.
‘How do you read or find out about the news? Tick all that apply’
- I don’t - 11%
- Social media - 59%
- News websites - 22%
- TV and radio - 6%
- Family and friends - 65%
‘Do you feel as though you understand what’s going on in the world around you?’
- Yes - 64%
- No - 36%
A majority said they understand what is happening around them, but more than a third did not. That points to a need for clearer explanations, less alarm-driven messaging and more practical guidance children can act on.
How families are responding
The encouraging part of the survey is that concern is already translating into household action. Many children said their family is taking steps to reduce waste, change habits or talk about climate responsibility.
‘Do you and your family work towards fighting climate change?’
- Yes - 88%
- No - 12%
‘If not, when will you take action towards fighting climate change?’
- Do not intend to - 6%
- In the future - 15%
- Immediately - 76%
‘What do you or will you (and your family) do to fight climate change?’
- Recycling - 72%
- Using public transport more - 58%
- Take shorter showers - 61%
- Pick up rubbish around the community - 21%
- Volunteer with an organisation - 23%
What parents can take from the results
For parents, the takeaway is not to avoid the topic. Children are already hearing about climate change, so calm and practical conversations can help turn worry into agency. Small actions such as recycling, saving water, reducing energy waste and choosing cleaner energy options can make the issue feel less abstract.
The survey also shows that children notice whether adults are engaged. When families take visible steps together, climate action becomes a shared habit rather than another frightening headline.
Why climate concern is crossing generations
Stuart McConaghy of yoursolarquotes.com.au said,
"The Climate Emergency is an issue that spans generations now more than ever, and the unfortunate reality for parents is that it’s no longer something we can shield our children from. It’s an issue that is going to have to be dealt with by the youth of today, so it’s no wonder that there is a general feeling of fear amongst children and teens that it will have a profound effect on their whole lives.”
“The Australian people have endured so much in 2020 - the tragic bushfires, followed by the COVID pandemic, and the devastating news that we’ve lost half of our Great Barrier Reef since 1995 due to global warming.”
“Hopefully we can continue to foster the passion and drive of these young people and help them to lead the much-needed climate revolution.”
