Among Gen Zers in a recent survey, 32% have reported anxiety stemming from a natural disaster. (Image by Chris Nicholls)
If there's one thing the past year has taught us, it's the implications a global crisis can have on every aspect of our lives. Beyond the COVID pandemic, wildfires, severe storms and other natural (and some man-made) disasters have taken their toll on the environment and our economy–and even our health.
At least one generation is paying close attention. According to Blue Shield of California's NextGen Climate Survey, 83% of Gen Zers are worried about the health of the planet, and 69% say the environment has an impact on their own health. In fact, 32% of respondents say that a non-COVID environmental event has impacted their ability to exercise outside in the past five years.
Click to enlarge | Source: Blue Shield of California Recommended For You
"Climate change is very real and there are a lot of environmental disasters happening," Justin Valenzuela, co-president of the Ohlone College Sustainability Club and co-founder of Renegade Feedings in the Bay Area, said in a recent press release. "Most importantly, I know a lot of marginalized communities around the world are facing different ends of climate change, even though they aren't the contributors. Providing sustainable health care to all, especially marginalized communities that are affected by climate change, seems like the right step."
Of course, this all results in a great deal of anxiety for Gen Zers; 32% have reported anxiety stemming from a natural disaster. And it's not just the current state of affairs; respondents are worried that climate change will impact where they live in the future, their career options and their decision to start a family.
The release of the report coincided with Blue Shield of California's announcement of its NextGen goals, which include:
- Becoming carbon-negative by 2023
- Zero-waste operations by 2025
- Quantifying the cost of climate change on human health by 2023
- Adopting and promoting climate-smart health care by 2025
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
