Climate anxiety, characterized by distress related to climate change, is increasingly prevalent among younger generations, with significant implications for mental health and daily functioning (Hickman et al., 2021; Ogunbode, 2021). However, little is known about how it affects long-term planning, including decisions about housing, career, education, and family. This study investigates this relationship among undergraduate students in British Columbia using a mixed-methods approach. The Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) (Clayton & Karazsia, 2020) quantified levels of climate anxiety, while semi-structured interviews explored its impact on future planning. Survey data (N = 36) revealed that women and non-binary participants reported significantly higher climate anxiety than men, and South Asian and Latino students reported lower anxiety than white students. Qualitative data from five interviews were analyzed using grounded theory, revealing three main themes: the individualization of climate responsibility, uncertainty and paralysis in future planning, and anticipatory grief around environmental and lifestyle loss. Many participants struggled to envision stable futures, especially regarding housing and family, and expressed moral conflict over reproducing in a climate-changing world. Findings offer insight into how climate anxiety shapes young people’s decision-making and highlight the need for structural supports and mental health resources to address these challenges.
