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Climate change impact on health and country's GDP: Reassure our eco-anxious youngsters

A 2024 Chintan study, 'The Future We Want', examined urban children's perceptions of climate change. About 89% of all respondents, from marginalised and middle-class backgrounds, converged around eco-anxiety. Such anxiety affects children for years, if not for perpetuity. It prevents them from being able to stay focused, increases vulnerability, and reduces their ability to manage relationships and hold down jobs as adults. The study believes India could face about 5.5% decline in GDP by 2047 if the climate impact on the vulnerable young is left unaddressed.