Climate change and youth in South Korea: A gendered analysis of psychosocial and behavioral profile.

INTRODUCTION

Understanding how youth perceive and respond to climate change is essential for designing effective education and engagement strategies. This study assessed the psychosocial and behavioral profiles related to climate change among Korean youth.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data from the Youth-led Carbon Neutrality Promotion Survey conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute (n = 3024; age=11-18 years) were used. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for school grade and type (co-ed vs gender-segregated).

RESULTS

Most Korean youth believed that climate change is currently happening (83%) and caused by human activity (95%). Boys showed higher technical knowledge (e.g., familiarity with Net-Zero terminology) but were less likely than girls to believe climate change is happening, feel climate anxiety, or take personal pro-environmental actions. Conversely, boys were more optimistic and viewed institutional responses as effective. These patterns suggest girls engage more emotionally and behaviorally, while boys focus on policy-level solutions, which may contribute to lower psychosocial response and action. Youth placed importance on both systemic (e.g., government policies, climate education) and individual-level strategies (individual-level information, youth engagement) as potential solutions, but less importance was placed on incentive-based or punitive measures. Using public transportation emerged as the most frequently adopted climate action (48%), far surpassing other behaviors.

DISCUSSION: Findings suggest gendered pathways in climate engagement, primarily girls' affective-behavioral responses and boys' structural-policy optimism.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the importance of tailored climate education and action programs that consider gendered patterns in psychosocial and behavioral profile to more effectively support youth as agents of climate action.