This study analyzes climate anxiety among future generations in the context of the climate crisis and proposes national policy responses to support mental well-being. Focusing on young adults as a representative group, the findings show that climate anxiety is widespread and has both positive and negative implications: it can encourage pro-environmental and health-related behaviors while simultaneously increasing the risk of depressive symptoms. The study further identifies cut-off points for the Korean version of the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (K-CCAS), empirically indicating levels at which climate anxiety may constitute a potential mental health concern.
The study underscores the need to move beyond treating climate anxiety as a uniform issue among all young people and instead adopt differentiated policy approaches according to its level and type. Based on these findings, it proposes integrated national intervention strategies linking the health and environmental sectors, centered on monitoring, education, psychological support, and communication. In addition, it emphasizes policy directions that position young people not merely as beneficiaries, but as active agents in climate adaptation efforts.