Studies of more than 10,000 young people aged 16–25 across ten countries found that:

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• 59% are very or extremely worried about climate change

• 84% are at least moderately worried

• Over 45% say climate worries affect their daily life and functioning

 

Young people report feeling sad, anxious, angry, powerless, guilty and many feel let down by adults and governments.

But most teens never talk about this with a teacher or counselor.

 

I started Three Degrees Apart to change that and to make space for honest conversations about what climate change really feels like.

 

Three Degrees Apart was established to bridge a generational gap I noticed in how people discussed climate change. While no one generation is a monolith, I discovered patterns in the way that climate discourse often took shape. Younger people often feel overwhelmed and anxious, fueled by the sense of “inheriting” a problem that they didn’t create. Older generations, on the other hand, may feel defensive, skeptical, or exhausted by continuous “climate” rhetoric. These differences often don’t stem from a place of ignorance or a lack of care, but simply from growing up in very different worlds, shaped by different information, stories, and expectations.

 

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s an emotional one. Climate anxiety affects people across generations, but shows up differently. For some, it could be fear about the future, for others, it looks like guilt, denial, or frustration. I wanted to create a space where these feelings could be shared at the same table, without blame or judgment.

 

This podcast is supported by the Climate Junction, founded by Dr. Lise Van Susteren. They have provided continuous support, assistance, and mentorship around the development of this podcast series. It serves as a hub for all things climate change.