How a Teen-Led Conservation Group is Empowering Minnesota Youth to Combat Climate Stress

A student-led group in Minnesota is transforming climate anxiety into action. The Green Crew focuses on hands-on conservation projects, like planting trees and restoring trails, helping teens find purpose in their environmental worries.

What They Do
Founded in 2021 within the Izaak Walton League chapter in the Twin Cities, the Green Crew encourages students to get involved in environmental restoration. Their efforts include removing invasive plants and planting trees that resist Dutch elm disease. This initiative has grown from a small team to 50 core members, with over 2,000 volunteers expected to join their projects in 2025.

Mental Health Benefits
Experts say that working together on environmental issues can ease the mental burden many young people feel about climate change. Psychologists find that taking part in meaningful projects helps combat feelings of anxiety and despair. Participants, like 17-year-old founder Hannah Stockert Barisonzi, express that these experiences offer hope and connection. Hannah says, “It feels like I’m not just sitting around and doing nothing. It gives me hope.”

The Bigger Picture
For many teens today, climate change is a source of stress. This worry, known as climate anxiety, often leads to feelings of helplessness. Research indicates that youth facing this anxiety show signs of depression and despair. However, getting involved in community projects like those organized by the Green Crew can provide relief and a sense of belonging.

According to recent surveys, over 70% of young people report feeling anxiety about climate change. Yet, those engaged in environmental activism often report greater emotional resilience and optimism.

In summary, the Green Crew is not just making a difference for the planet; it’s also helping young people reclaim their sense of agency and community through action. This model of collective involvement offers hope, showing that even in challenging times, young individuals can make a meaningful impact. For further insights on the mental health effects of climate anxiety, check out resources from the American Psychological Association.

Read more details in a report by Kate Selig in The New York Times.

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children's health, climate change, environmental health, mental health, public health