PETALING JAYA: Climate anxiety is increasingly shaping how young Malaysians plan their futures, influencing decisions on careers and where they want to live, as well as whether to start a family or not, say youth leaders and psychologist.
The concerns come as Unicef Malaysia’s National Youth Climate Change Survey 2025 found that the youth are not only highly aware of climate risks but are also a generation already experiencing their impact firsthand.
Prakash Mohan, chairman of the Majlis Belia India Malaysia Wilayah Persekutuan, said climate resilience has become an important consideration in young people’s life choices.
“Many are choosing climate-resilient careers, reconsidering family planning and preferring to live in areas with lower disaster risks and better infrastructure,” he said.
Prakash urged the government to strengthen climate education, improve disaster preparedness, expand mental health support and create more green job opportunities.
He also called for greater youth involvement in climate policymaking and investment in resilient infrastructure.
Vice-president and founder of the Global Leadership and Development Forum, Varsha Ajmera, said she has also observed a shift in how young Malaysians think about their future.
“I’ve met young people who now ask different questions from the previous generation.
“Instead of the usual, ‘What job pays the most?’, they ask: ‘Will this job still exist in 10 years?’ or ‘Can I work somewhere that is less vulnerable to floods?’” she said.
Varsha, former chief operations officer at World Youth Foundation, said some youth are now pursuing careers in renewable energy, environmental science, sustainable agriculture and disaster management.
Others, she added, are looking for jobs that provide greater flexibility after experiencing repeated disruptions caused by floods, for example.
Varsha said climate risks are also influencing where young people hope to settle, with factors such as flood risks, infrastructure, healthcare access and rising temperatures becoming increasingly important considerations.
However, Varsha stressed that climate anxiety should not leave young people feeling helpless.
“One of the best ways to turn concerns into action is by volunteering during flood relief efforts, learning practical emergency skills, supporting local environmental projects or advocating for better community planning.
“These activities give young people something that anxiety cannot, which is agency,” she said.
Meanwhile, mental health professional Dr Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan said these concerns reflect a deeper fear that the youth have about their future.
Anasuya, who is principal counsellor at mental health service provider Heart Talk Ventures, said climate anxiety is often linked to uncertainty about the kind of world people will inherit.
She said climate concerns can influence major life decisions, including whether people feel ready to have children, as they worry about environmental conditions, rising costs and quality of life.
On disaster preparedness, Prakash said young people should learn basic emergency response skills, stay updated through official weather alerts, prepare emergency kits and understand evacuation procedures.
Varsha said schools, universities and community groups should conduct regular disaster drills and first aid training, while strengthening climate education, mental health support and pathways into green industries.
“When young people are equipped with knowledge, skills and opportunities to contribute, climate anxiety is more likely to turn into climate action,” she said.
