Section Article

Climate Anxiety Among University Students: A Social-Psychological Study
Author(s): Prof. Maya Pandey

Abstract
Climate change has emerged as one of the most serious global concerns of the twenty-first century influencing not only environmental conditions but also the psychological and emotional well-being of individuals across different age groups. Among young people especially university students the fear and uncertainty associated with environmental degradation rising temperatures natural disasters and the future sustainability of life have generated a growing psychological condition commonly referred to as climate anxiety. This study explores climate anxiety among university students from a social-psychological perspective by examining how environmental concerns shape emotions social behavior academic engagement interpersonal relationships and future perceptions. The paper investigates the role of social media educational awareness peer discussions and global environmental narratives in intensifying feelings of stress helplessness and emotional insecurity among students. It further analyzes how climate anxiety differs across social backgrounds educational disciplines and personal experiences with environmental crises. The study emphasizes that climate anxiety is not merely an individual psychological reaction but also a social phenomenon influenced by collective fear media exposure and cultural understanding of ecological risk. Through a social-psychological framework the research highlights the need for emotional support systems environmental education and institutional initiatives that can help students transform anxiety into constructive environmental engagement. The paper contributes to contemporary social science research by connecting climate discourse with youth psychology social identity and emotional resilience in higher educational institutions.