Reparation or impairment? Youth perception of climate change, Ecological Grief, Eco-anxiety and solastalgia in Alappuzha

This article critically examines the growing impact of climate change as a result of human activities and explores its multifaceted consequences on the environment, human health, and society. It outlines the differences between weather and climate, attributing the accelerated pace of climate change predominantly to anthropogenic factors such as fossil fuel consumption, deforestation, and industrial emissions. The article discusses the severe repercussions of climate change in India, particularly in Kerala, highlighting recent extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and policy responses such as the introduction of the state's first environmental budget. The emotional and psychological responses to ecological degradation—captured through concepts like eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and solastalgia—are explored, emphasizing their rising significance among youth. The study focuses on Alappuzha's youth and their perceptions of climate change, integrating survey data within a theoretical framework that includes environmental psychology and climate activism. “Reparation or Impairment? Youth Perception of Climate Change, Ecological Grief, Eco-Anxiety and Solastalgia in Alappuzha,” adopts a mixed-methods approach to assess awareness, concern, and the emotional impact of environmental changes. The findings suggest a growing urgency to address not only the physical but also the mental health challenges posed by climate change, reinforcing the need for comprehensive policy and community-based action.