Climate change has been a boiling topic since humans began seeing the environmental effects of the Industrial Revolution. As a result, many people are now encountering the indirect effects of climate change through distress over the issue. Climate anxiety, also called “eco-anxiety”, is taking a toll on people around the world who are greatly concerned with the present and future detriments of the Earth’s environment.
In order to understand climate anxiety, one must understand the source of the issue. Climate change is defined as the changes in temperatures and weather patterns over an extended period of time. Although climate change can occur naturally by solar cycle variations, human activity is the main culprit of stimulating climate change and intensifying global warming.
There was a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gasses following the first and second Industrial Revolution. The first Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century and lasted until the start of the second Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century. New technological innovations led to increased production and growing populations heightened consumer demands.
Although the Industrial Revolution created an abundance of opportunities, humans quickly noticed the negative environmental effects of burning large amounts of fossil fuels by the 1950’s. A number of environmental changes and natural disasters are major indicators that climate change is taking a toll on our natural environment.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that climate change adaptation costs will reach $140 to 300 billion by 2030 and potentially increase to $500 billion by 2050. Although there are numerous laws and programs that have been implemented to further protect the environment, rapid urbanization sparked by the Industrial Revolution is hindering efforts to slow and reverse climate change.
Climate anxiety is the psychological distress caused by climate change. Humans are witnessing the Earth’s environment deteriorate because of the long-lasting effects of human activity. Concerns over the environment’s health fuels climate anxiety and people who have experienced natural disasters that stem from climate change are more likely to experience climate or eco-anxiety.
Although it is not considered a medical condition, climate anxiety aligns with general anxiety as both share similar characteristics. The following list are signs that one may be experiencing climate anxiety.
All of these signs are justifiable emotions considering the Earth’s temperature has risen by 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) within the last two centuries and we’ve experienced the warmest years ever recorded in 2016 and 2020. Younger generations feel they have been let down by their governments for not taking further urgent actions against the ever-increasing climate change issue.
The saying that “children are our future” is especially applicable to climate change. Younger generations are most affected by climate anxiety as they see the health of the natural environment around them deteriorating from past and current human activity. However, older generations may also experience climate anxiety as they worry about the welfare of later generations who will have to face increased natural disasters if the environment is not properly cared for and protected.
A study on the psychological effects of climate change was conducted through a survey taken by 10,000 people with different backgrounds from 10 countries. There have been previous studies on the connection between psychological distress and climate change, but this study was the largest international survey to be taken by a younger population aged between 16 and 25.
Some results of the study on climate anxiety concluded:
The numbers in this study display the seriousness of climate anxiety that younger age groups are experiencing as a result of climate change. Younger generations are facing looming despair over the current and future health of the environment.
Mental health professionals are beginning to recognize the toll climate change is taking on mental health. The American Psychiatric Association has seen higher levels of anxiety and trauma associated with extreme weather events caused by climate change. People with pre-existing mental health conditions are especially susceptible to climate anxiety.
Climate anxiety is being addressed in the mental health field, but healthcare professionals may be facing a challenge on how to advise patients on the issue. Since climate change requires long-term efforts in environmental protection, seeing positive results will not happen overnight. The lack of knowing what the future has to hold in terms of environmental health creates a challenge for mental health patients and their healthcare professionals.
Although climate anxiety can cause feelings of hopelessness and despair, there are several ways one can relieve some of the worry and fears they may have over climate change.
These are just a few ways you can attempt to alleviate climate anxiety. Educating yourself and others and talking about the issues with climate change can encourage others to take action and protect the environment. Reducing one’s carbon footprint means decreasing the amount of greenhouse gasses that are released into the atmosphere by one’s actions. Walking or using public transportation when possible can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Climate anxiety is the feeling of worry, fear, sadness, or hopelessness about climate change and the environment’s health. It has been a present issue for younger generations who have experienced natural disasters and witnessed the natural environment deteriorate before their eyes. Climate change can be slowed, or even reversed, if proper actions are taken to reduce human activities that cause climate change.
People who experience climate anxiety can join support groups and take matters of saving the environment into their own hands. Although it cannot be done overnight or alone, there are many people who are experiencing climate anxiety who want to better the environment and small actions combined to protect the Earth can make a great impact.
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Climate Change: How Do We Know? NASA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
The Dry Corridor in Central America. World Food Program USA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.wfpusa.org/emergencies/dry-corridor/
Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., & Susteren, L. van. (2021). Young People’s Voices on Climate Anxiety, Government Betrayal and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon. Claverton Down; University of Bath.
Mark, B., & Lewis, J. (2020, December 10). Group Interventions for Climate Change Distress. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/group-interventions-climate-change-distress
Morganstein, J. C. (2019). How Extreme Weather Events Affect Mental Health. American Psychiatric Association. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/climate-change-and-mental-health-connections/affects-on-mental-health
Step up climate change adaptation or face serious human and economic damage. UN Environment Programme. (2021, January 14). Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/step-climate-change-adaptation-or-face-serious-human-and-economic
