nrc.nl
Dutch Youth Climate Concern Declines Amidst Competing Priorities
An Ipsos I&O survey of 2,519 Dutch adults shows a decrease in climate concern among 18-24 year-olds from 71% in 2019 to 66% in 2025, despite increased knowledge of sustainable practices, due to competing concerns like the Gaza war and housing crisis, and a feeling of individual action's ineffectiveness against larger systemic issues.
- What specific behavioral changes among young Dutch people indicate a shift in climate priorities, and what are the immediate implications?
- A recent Ipsos I&O study of 2,519 Dutch adults reveals a decline in climate concern among young people (18-24). While knowledge of sustainable practices increased, actual sustainable choices decreased in 2024. This younger group's climate concern dropped from 71% in 2019 to 66% in 2025, though still relatively high compared to the national average of 61%.
- How do the findings regarding the relative impact of immediate versus long-term concerns influence the effectiveness of climate change communication strategies?
- The decreased climate concern among young Dutch people correlates with increased focus on immediate concerns like the Gaza war, housing crisis, and Trump's return. The study suggests climate change has become more abstract, overshadowed by readily apparent issues, leading to increased car travel and air journeys (from 0.9 to 1.2 flights annually per young person).
- What systemic changes are necessary to align individual actions with stated climate concerns among young people, considering the influence of social media and global factors?
- This shift highlights a disconnect between awareness and action. Young people feel their individual efforts are insignificant against systemic factors, such as social media's constant promotion of consumption and the actions of corporations and other nations. This suggests future climate action requires addressing these systemic issues and fostering a sense of collective efficacy.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and opening sentences immediately establish a negative trend: that young people are less concerned about climate change. This framing sets the tone for the entire article, emphasizing the decline in concern more than any potential mitigating factors or continued commitment. The use of phrases like "afname van bezorgdheid" (decrease in concern) further reinforces this negative framing.
Language Bias
While the article strives for objectivity, the repeated emphasis on the decline in concern and the inclusion of phrases like 'overschaduwd' (overshadowed) subtly shape the reader's interpretation towards a negative conclusion. More neutral phrasing could be used, such as highlighting the shift in priorities rather than solely focusing on the decrease in climate concern.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the decrease in climate concern among young people, but omits discussion of potential positive actions or policies that might be underway to address climate change. It also doesn't explore the perspectives of climate activists or organizations working to engage young people. This omission might lead readers to a more pessimistic view than a more balanced presentation would allow.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by implying that concern for climate change is inversely proportional to concern for other issues like war and housing. It doesn't fully explore the possibility that young people can be concerned about multiple issues simultaneously.
Sustainable Development Goals
The study reveals a decline in climate concern among young people in the Netherlands, coupled with an increase in their carbon footprint. This indicates a setback in achieving climate action goals (SDG 13), as awareness doesn't translate into sustainable behavior. The reasons cited, such as competing priorities and the perceived futility of individual actions against systemic issues, highlight significant barriers to achieving climate action.