Data shows that climate anxiety and eco-anxiety are on the rise. Fortunately, research also shows that collective action is the best response.
There are many ways to define eco-anxiety and climate anxiety, but it is clear that more and more people (particularly in richer countries where most of the research is done) are experiencing mental health problems due to climate change.
About 7% of Americans experience ‘at least mild levels of climate change-related psychological distress’, and this October 2023 European study found that ‘42.8% of participants felt very worried or extremely worried about climate change.’
Eco-anxiety is highest in regions directly experiencing the impacts of climate change.
Why are so many young individuals grappling with climate anxiety?
Climate anxiety, or to use its formal definition, “a chronic fear of environmental doom that comes from observing the impacts of climate change,” has many causes.
Firstly, there’s the stark reality that young people will inherit the long-term repercussions of climate change. Moreover, the perceived inaction from political and business leaders creates a sense of powerlessness. With limited influence on politics and society, young people often feel marginalised and ignored in the fight against climate change.
Climate stress has a profound impact on mental health. Studies reveal that one in five young individuals experiences climate stress, resulting in fear, anxiety and even depression about the planet’s future. This overwhelming sense of impending doom can breed cynicism and despair, as people struggle to cope with the enormity of the crisis.
Other researchers have pointed out that anxiety and grief are natural and legitimate responses to ecological loss.
“Climate change is a real threat, however distant the outcome may seem. In this context, it’s possible to see eco-anxiety as a rare case of anxiety working as intended. It functions as a motivator for survival, a unique emotional response propelling humankind to seek out solutions for climate damage.”
– From this article in Health Line.
So, how can we alleviate climate stress?
It starts with acknowledging and validating the emotional upheaval linked to environmental concerns.
Acknowledging that eco-anxiety exists is the starting point for doing something positive. When we face our worries and doubts, we can give ourselves the power to make real changes that benefit the planet and our peace of mind.
Recognising the stress and anxiety, and developing healthy coping mechanisms are crucial. Finding support from like-minded people is important too, as is finding humour in adversity.
And most of all, taking action, no matter how modest, helps address climate anxiety.
(See also these Six Tips for Coping With Climate Anxiety)
“Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.”
– Greta Thunberg
Many of us recognise the reality of the threat we face and that we must act now, not later. Yet, we also experience the feeling that climate change is just “too big” to allow us to act usefully.
“Too much climate anxiety can cause paralysis, preventing climate action”. People may become overwhelmed with fear and stress, making them feel powerless to take action against climate change. Their anxiety can cause sleeping problems, feeling scared, or even not being able to do everyday things like going to work or hanging out with friends. For people experiencing this extent of climate stress, support from their peers and communities, and from mental health professionals, is essential.
Some people have indicated that their worries about the climate have prompted them not to want to have children. Others resort to “doom scrolling”, spending excessive amounts of time reading news stories that make them sad or depressed.
For anyone experiencing symptoms of climate anxiety (ranging from worry, fear, anger, grief, shame, guilt, hopelessness or fatalistic thoughts and depression) it is important to stay informed but to set clear boundaries on their exposure to distressing information.
The most important thing to do is to engage in self-care practices to maintain mental well-being: spending time in nature, practising mindfulness or meditation, exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, connecting with supportive friends and family, pursuing hobbies or activities that bring joy, limiting exposure to distressing news, seeking professional help if needed, and participating in climate activism or community initiatives to channel your concerns into positive action.
The link between Action and Hope
Luckily, there is plenty of evidence that individual actions within communities can create a ripple effect, influencing others to join the movement. Whether by participating in climate marches, advocating for policy changes or making sustainable choices in daily life, every action contributes to collective progress.
We know that taking action can inspire others to do the same. And ‘taking action’ can begin by simply using your voice: stopping the silent suffering and breaking the silence on climate anxiety.
Taking action, and highlighting the action of others, is also a great way to address the stress that people experience because they do not see enough climate action in society. We know that the ‘spiral of inaction’ can be reversed.
And, crucially, eco-anxiety can also be a force for good. If we acknowledge and understand our fears and stresses, we can learn how to use them as a source of hope, resilience, empowerment, and connection.
Hope and optimism are trainable skills, and work against helplessness. Hope lies in acknowledging and navigating complex emotions, like fear and grief arising from eco-anxiety, using them as motivation for discussion and action.
With help and support, climate anxiety can motivate people to take action against climate change, giving them a sense of power and belonging, and inspiring them to try and make a difference for a better future.
“Most of us systematically underestimate how widespread support for climate action is.”
Around the world, people “systematically underestimate the willingness of their fellow citizens to act”. And this can be a problem. When people think that their values and worries are not shared by those around them, fatalism, depression and anxiety can grow, and political action will drop off.
If society under-estimates support for climate action, then how will politicians feel the need to introduce change?
Read more about the Values Perception Gap here.
The ‘spiral of silence’ will grow into a ‘spiral of inaction’. But luckily, we have evidence that the spiral can be reversed, in to a virtuous cycle of action.
When people see that others care about the environment, and when they hear their friends and peers talk about climate change, they will understand that their own concerns are more widespread than they assumed, and they will be more likely to feel that their own efforts do matter.
And as more people share knowledge on climate action, more people will demand sustainable practices and products, and the prices of alternatives to our current carbon-intensive products will begin to come down.
The ‘spiral of inaction’ will then have turned into a self-reinforcing ‘virtuous cycle’ of informed and effective climate action.