Esaunggul.ac.id, On Tuesday, 20 November 2024, from 3.30 pm to 4.20 pm, a landmark event in the Global Signature Course Series was hosted on the Zoom platform. The event addressed an increasingly relevant topic amidst the challenges of global climate change: ‘Climate Anxiety: A Comprehensive Study of This Phenomenon in the Lives of Different Generations.’
Two prominent speakers shared their views in this edition of the global signature course, Hellya Agustina, S.Psi, M.Psi, a lecturer from Esa Unggul University, Indonesia, and András Szeberényi, Associate Professor at the Institute of Communication and Marketing, Budapest Metropolitan University (METU). They discussed the impact of climate change on mental health, specifically climate anxiety, which is felt by various generations, from younger to older generations.
Hellya Agustina opened the discussion by explaining how climate anxiety is becoming an increasingly widespread phenomenon, especially among younger generations who are more sensitive to environmental issues. According to Hellya, concerns about a future affected by climate change often create a deep sense of anxiety. This is mainly related to the uncertainty about the future of the world and the worsening environmental conditions.
Meanwhile, András Szeberényi discussed how older generations, while not growing up in an era of climate change as pronounced as today’s younger generations, are also feeling the effects through changes in lifestyles and global policies. András explained that while this generation may be more accustomed to social and political adaptation, climate anxiety still emerges in the form of fears about the impact of climate change on economic and social resilience.
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During the global signature course, participants interacted through a Q&A session that discussed the social, psychological and cultural impacts of climate change. The discussion opened up new insights into how each generation responds to this enormous challenge, and the importance of intergenerational education and collaboration to create better solutions to climate change.
Held virtually via Zoom, the event attracted a wide range of participants from different backgrounds, providing a space for a global discussion on an issue that affects all of humanity. The event also demonstrated a commitment to raising awareness of the importance of climate change management and its impact on mental health at a generational level.
At the end of the event, the speakers emphasised the importance of sustainability in every aspect of life and how every individual, regardless of generation, has a role to play in mitigating climate change and reducing the impact of climate anxiety. The discussion also served as a call to encourage public policies that are more proactive and supportive of public mental health, especially in the face of major challenges such as climate change.
With the enthusiasm and active participation of the participants, this event is expected to trigger more discussions and concrete actions to address climate anxiety and the negative impacts of climate change in the future.
