Climate anxiety in Germany

Objectives This study aimed to clarify the level and the correlates of climate anxiety in Germany. Study design This was a quota-based online survey. Methods We used data collected in mid-March 2022 from a sample of the general adult population (n = 3091 individuals aged 18–74 years; March 2022). Climate anxiety was quantified using the Climate Anxiety Scale (ranging from 1 to 7, with higher scores corresponding to higher levels of climate anxiety). Results The average level of climate anxiety in Germany was 2.0 (standard deviation [SD]: 1.2). It differed between subgroups (e.g. individuals aged 18–29 years: 2.4, SD: 1.3; individuals aged 65–74 years: 1.8, SD: 1.0). Log-linear regressions showed that climate anxiety was higher among younger individuals (β = −0.005, P