Teens warn climate change threatens mental health and education

Advocates and teenagers have warned that climate change is increasingly taking a toll on young people’s mental health, education and future prospects, citing rising cases of eco-anxiety, depression and health risks linked to extreme heat, respiratory illnesses and malnutrition.
They spoke at the Teens Climate Summit held in Abuja, where participants highlighted how environmental uncertainty and climate-related hazards are disrupting learning and threatening the wellbeing of adolescents across the country.
At the summit, teenagers expressed a strong commitment to reversing the negative impacts of climate change in order to safeguard their future. Convener of the Teens Climate Summit, Ebaidebheki Omiunu, urged young people to take the lead in driving climate action and building a safe, green and climate-friendly future.
Other climate change advocates at the event emphasized the responsibility of government to support the education and empowerment of teenagers, enabling them to develop solutions that protect both their future and the environment.
Students from various schools across the Federal Capital Territory also shared their perspectives on addressing climate challenges, describing how the summit had shaped their understanding and inspired action.
Organisers said the Teens Climate Summit is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s climate advocacy efforts and contribute to broader green initiatives aimed at protecting not only today’s youth, but generations to come.