LATEST statistics shows that four in 10 young people worldwide are suffering from climate anxiety.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that climate anxiety is impacting the lives of young people who fear for the future of the planet.

Young people have been at the forefront of the climate crisis, and the new data reveals just how badly climate anxiety has impacted their lives.

Global conversation surrounding climate anxiety highlights that people suffering should use this as a positive and act.

There are a variety of things individuals can do from monitoring their carbon footprint, recycling and making an effort to use public transport or walking.

Aksa Arshad, 21, from Bradford said: “Our generation have seen this come about and it’s scary.

“We’ve heard about climate change and what could happen but now we’re actually seeing it.

“We need to do more as individuals as well as on a larger scale.

“Governments and world leaders need to play their part and make big changes to help reduce the impact of climate change.

“On an individual level, people can become more conscious of what they are consuming, buying and recycling.”  

Data from Bradford City Council shows that in the year 2020/21 21,573 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions were released.

The council have made an investment of £25 million, some of which will be spent on community groups who are playing their part in making Bradford greener. 

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places, said: “Young people are at the forefront of the drive to tackle climate change and to create a sustainable Bradford district, just as they are across the world.

“So, whilst it’s totally understandable that young people might feel some anxiety about the epic challenge facing us, I want them to be involved in the positive changes that are happening too so they can see the difference.

“We declared a climate emergency in 2019. As a local authority we are clear that, for our climate action to be successful, it absolutely has to be a partnership effort that includes every single one of us – young and old – so the good news is there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved and do their bit.

“With younger children for example we have our commitment to plant a tree for every child in the district.

“Lots of families, schools and community groups have been getting on board with that and with other sustainable food programmes, such as the community orchards in Bowling Park, Shipley and Keighley to name just a few.

“As part of a major £25m investment, we are investing £300,000 to support community climate action with over 50 grassroots projects across all five constituency areas.

“Together with neighbouring authorities across West Yorkshire we are also investing in active travel, which includes supporting families to walk safely to school and to provide new cycle routes throughout the district.

"We are also fortunate to have world class parks and green spaces, which I would urge young people to enjoy both for the mental health as well as physical health benefits.

“And we’ve built in climate features as part for the course in all our new regeneration schemes and we are partnering with local colleges and building contractors to create as many job and apprenticeship opportunities as possible in industry.

“We have major green developments like at Esholt and new building schemes such as Darley Street Market and One City Park which embed our ecological principles and our ambition to make Bradford a great place to live and work.

“Our ambition is for the Bradford district to become the UK’s leading clean growth city district – which means investment in the innovative green technologies and jobs of the future.

“Our young people are the future of this district and Bradford, at the heart of the North, must be at the centre of the Northern Powerhouse and its green growth agenda.”