Carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Woodland Trust, the poll found that 33 per cent of 16-24-year-olds admitted to being “scared” by the prospect of a changing climate, with 28 per cent saying they felt “overwhelmed”.

Almost one-in-four (24 per cent) said that fears over the climate crisis mean they are willing to consider having fewer children than they would otherwise like.

Woodland Trust chief executive Dr Darren Moorcroft said that, with access to woodland declining and tree cover in the UK one of the lowest in Europe, the results were “alarming”.

“Young people are experiencing an epidemic of climate anxiety and are increasingly worried about the health of the planet,” he said. “This new data shows that climate change is jeopardising more than just the environment, with people’s mental wellbeing and future life plans also affected.  

“We know that being outdoors and among nature has a positive effect on mental health – but the level of access to...