Young people are anxious about climate change, environment and economic insecurity; protests by youth on these issues are increasing: State of India’s Environment 2026 report

• A Down To Earth (DTE) survey of youth says almost 88 per cent of respondents felt climate is changing around them; 67 per cent said these changes were already affecting their daily lives and lifestyles 
• From November 2021 to October 2022, rising costs of living triggered 12,500 protests and riots in 150 nations 
• This is from CSE-Down To Earth’s annual State of India’s Environment report, released here at Anil Agarwal Dialogue, a conclave of communicators from all over India  

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Nimli (Rajasthan), February 27, 2026: “The youth are angry. There are waves of protests sweeping the world, and the protesters are predominantly young. While the reasons range from regime change to inflation, a survey by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth magazine finds eco-anxiety is increasing among the youth – they are also protesting the increasing degradation of environment and natural resources and the world’s laxity in combating climate change,” says Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth. 

Mahapatra has edited the latest (2026) edition of the State of India’s Environment report, which is published annually by CSE and Down To Earth. The report was released this week at the annual Anil Agarwal Dialogue, a conclave of environmental communicators which CSE organises. 

“Our analysis says that these protests are not steered by any chosen leadership. Rather, they are fueled and sustained by various developmental issues. The youth – the world currently has 2.4 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 29 -- steer these themselves,” says Mahapatra. 

Climate grief: The DTE survey gets a measure of eco-anxiety

Down To Earth (DTE) conducted a survey in the October-November 2025 period among 300 people aged 16 to 25 years. Nearly 88 per cent of the respondents said they felt the climate is changing around them; 67 per cent said these changes were already affecting their daily lives and lifestyles. 

Says Mahapatra: “This shows how entrenched eco-anxiety has become. Those born in the past 25 years may never have experienced a ‘normal’ climate. From heatwaves to cyclones to floods, the planet’s pulse has changed and young people are feeling it more than ever.”In fact, experts say that anyone born in and after February 1986may not have experienced even a single month with normal temperatures. 

The survey, as reported by the State of India’s Environment report, indicates that 57 per cent of the respondents described themselves as ‘anxious’. Many declared they felt ‘helpless’, ‘frightened and sad’, ‘angry’ or ‘betrayed’. 

Inequality, exclusion from development and uncertain future key triggers

Inequality in income and wealth has been rising since 1990, says the report. According to an assessment, two-thirds of the world population lives in countries where inequality has increased. Any abrupt event, like an extreme weather incident, can push them below the poverty line. 

Mahapatra says: “The World Bank notes that every fifth person is at risk from climate disasters. Today’s world has the highest ever young population – so exclusion from development and future uncertainties threaten youth the most.” 

The young world is asserting against the lack of basic survival means and the ineffectiveness of the current political system to respond to their needs. The overarching issue of most protests is economic security, says the report. 

For more on this, see the section on YOUTH in the
State of India’s Environment 2026 report. 

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For other details, interviews etc, please contact: Sukanya Nair, 8816818864, sukanya.nair@cseindia.org