A third of young people in Britain are worried, sad or pessimistic about climate change, a new survey has found, with more than a quarter feeling overwhelmed. More young people said they were “very worried” about climate change than older people, with 18 per cent of people aged 65 and over saying they were worried, compared with 31 per cent of people aged 16-24. The survey, commissioned by the Woodland Trust, also found that 24 per cent of people aged 16-24 had decided or were considering having fewer children because of climate concerns. Woodland Trust chief executive Dr Darren Moorcroft described the results as “alarming” and said more people should access nature as a way of alleviating their climate concerns. Of those surveyed, 86 per cent said that being outdoors and in nature had a positive impact on their mental health. Dr Moorcroft said: “Young people are experiencing an epidemic of climate anxiety and are increasingly concerned about the health of the planet. “This new data shows that climate change is not only threatening the environment, but also people’s mental wellbeing and their future life plans. “We know that being outdoors and in nature has a positive impact on mental health – but the level of access to green spaces in the UK is simply not enough.”