Navigating interconnected pathways: A mixed-methods study on climate change and anxiety through the lens of cognitive metaphor theory

This research provides insights from informal conversations based on an ethnographical approach with 50 German university students aged 20–30, conducted in English and German over 6 years (2017–2022). The study emphasises the intersection of climate change concerns and anxiety in young adults. Through a combination of content analysis and in-depth qualitative examination, which employs a type hierarchy methodology, the study systematically dissects these metaphors, highlighting their role in shaping our relationship with the environment. The study reveals the deep emotional and psychological impacts of climate change on young adults, expressed in metaphors of being overwhelmed, stuck between choices, and facing imminent danger. The research underscores the intertwined nature of ecopsychology and ecolinguistics, aiming to foster a sustainable and psychologically attuned future.