Youth Want Climate Action, but Don’t Feel Equipped to Lead
Findings highlight a generation seeking tools—not just awareness
Key Highlights
- A new national survey from Sacred Heart University and GreatBlue Research shows that while young Americans care deeply about climate change and social justice, many do not feel confident that their actions can make a meaningful difference
- Nearly 69% of respondents say they are worried about climate change, but fewer than three in 10 describe themselves as very worried, suggesting concern is broad but not deeply intense
- A similar pattern appears with sustainability, where most young people consider it important, yet far fewer view it as extremely important
A new nationwide study from Sacred Heart University’s Laudato Si’ Office of Sustainability & Social Justice, in collaboration with GreatBlue Research, finds that young Americans overwhelmingly care about climate change, sustainability, and social justice, but many say they don’t feel confident their actions will make a difference.
Based on a survey of 1,500 U.S. residents ages 15 to 29, the 2026 study reveals a generation that is attentive and motivated, yet increasingly cautious and less confident in its ability to make an impact.
While issues like climate change and sustainability register as important across political and demographic lines, the intensity of that concern, and young people’s sense of personal agency, appears to be flattening.
Nearly 69% of respondents said they are worried about climate change, yet fewer than three in ten described themselves as “very worried.” A similar pattern emerged around sustainability: 62.9% rated it as very or extremely important, but only 29.2% said it was extremely important.
Key findings include:
- More than half (55.1%) of young Americans report experiencing “eco-anxiety”
- Concern around climate change spans political and demographic lines, indicating less polarization among youth and older adults
- Many young respondents feel a personal responsibility to act, but doubt their actions will matter
- About three in four respondents say colleges and universities should go beyond awareness and actively teach practical skills tied to sustainability and social justice
“These findings reinforce what we’re hearing directly from young people: they care deeply, but they’re looking for clearer pathways to make a difference,” said Marylena Mantas-Kourounis, assistant professor of political science & global affairs.
“America’s youth have come of age at a time of hyper partisanship and polarization,” said Todd Matthews, professor in the Institute for Applied Behavioral & Organizational Sciences.“ Our findings suggest that on matters of social justice and sustainability America’s youth is not as divided along partisan lines as it may be on other issues.”
That uncertainty appears to be growing. Just 61.5% of respondents say they feel confident to take action, down from 68.7% in 2025. At the same time, respondents point to skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and civic literacy as essential to addressing today’s challenges, underscoring a gap between awareness and preparedness.
“Colleges and universities have a major role to play. Not only do youth want colleges and universities to teach capacities and skills to act on sustainability and social justice, they trust higher education more than other institutions to address these issues,” said Mantas-Kourounis.
The findings also reflect shifting patterns in trust and engagement. While social media remains young people’s top source of information, it ranks low in trust. Family and friends emerged as the most trusted voices, while confidence in institutions including higher education, government, nonprofits, and corporations, continues to erode.
Civic participation is also evolving, with more youth favoring low-barrier digital actions such as online petitions and surveys over traditional activities like protests or campaign involvement.
The study builds on Sacred Heart University’s ongoing national polling initiative examining youth perspectives on sustainability, social justice, and climate change.
About the Poll
Sacred Heart University and GreatBlue Research surveyed a random sample of 1,500 U.S. residents aged 15 to 29. The sample was stratified by gender, age, and geographic region to ensure broad representation. The final sample was then weighted according to age, education, gender, race/ethnicity, and U.S. census region. The survey was fielded from March 5, 2026, to March 12, 2026.
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