When flipping through your social media channels, you’re likely to come across a news bit or two about how climate change is affecting us all. Between watching a catastrophic wildfire in California that wiped out celebrities’ homes to dust and the record-breaking Storm Éowyn hitting the UK coast, causing devastation closer home, it’s no wonder we’re all so stressed.

The climate crisis is undeniably a clear and present danger, and what makes it more dangerous is the difficulty in processing and gauging its intensity. In times like these, you’re left wondering about your contributions to climate change—one quick look at your shopping cart filled with pre-packed produce, facial wipes and juice bottles and you start to question your choices.

From being fully aware that plastic in those items may never break down fully to driving the short distance to the supermarket, you’re consumed with guilt for your actions that are likely to affect the generations to come.

If you often feel this way, it may be a sign of climate anxiety. This article explores what climate anxiety is and the steps you can take to cope.

What is Climate Anxiety?

Being filled with a sense of fear, worry or tension linked to climate change and its effects is climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety. Climate change is a real threat, affecting people worldwide in some way or another.

Climate anxiety is not a mental illness, but a form of anxiety stemming from environmental dangers that befall us and the uncertainty of the future. It causes individuals to fear and worry about the climate and is accompanied by feelings of grief, anger, guilt and shame that affect thinking and behaviour.

Effect on Mental Health

Climate anxiety is mostly observed in young people since the effects of climate change have been more evident in the past 20–30 years. The reality is that the younger generation is significantly and disproportionately shouldering the burden of climate change. It can bring about existential fears and worries about the uncertain future, impacting their mental health.

The chronic stress brought about by worry and fear of climate change in children and adolescents can also raise their risk of developing depression and substance use disorders.

Talk therapies with a professional can ease the symptoms and help those struggling to shift their focus to constructive actions. Chronic cases of climate anxiety are best treated by a psychotherapist or hypnotherapist. Whether you consult a hypnotherapy clinic in London, Essex or another city, make sure you’re also checking in with your doctor for a more comprehensive treatment plan.

The Steps You Can Take

At first, it can seem like a hopeless situation with the growing impact and disasters caused by climate change, but there are ways to combat climate anxiety and the broader issue of climate change.

• If coming across news of natural disasters triggers your anxiety for the planet, make it a point to limit consumption of such news. Avoid doom-scrolling and switch off notifications from media outlets that trigger anxious feelings.
• Negative news can be stressful and overwhelming, so embrace the positive instead. Make yourself aware of the pro-environment technologies being used, from the increased use of green hydrogen to integrating clean in place systems in industrial setups. Subscribe to positive news channels and stories on social media that offer news worth cheering for, including those related to our environment.
• If you’re really passionate about the environment and want to make a difference, perhaps the best treatment is to take action. Join advocacy groups and get involved in campaigning in your area to get your voice heard and efforts counted.
• Embrace more sustainable alternatives to everyday utilities. Choose upcycled fashion instead of fast fashion choices, pick groceries with no to negligible plastic, and opt to walk instead of taking transport for short distances.
• Consider small acts to help local wildlife, particularly during extreme weather conditions. Install birdfeeders and insect houses to help birds, insects, and other local wildlife cope with a changing climate.
• Spend more time in nature and understand how your choices can contribute towards maintaining ecological balance.
• Support businesses that embrace eco-friendly practices.
• Get involved in your local community’s efforts to plant more trees, raise awareness, and speed up conservation efforts. Banding together with other like-minded individuals can help ease your feelings of climate anxiety and raise hope.
• If you are an adult caring for a younger person experiencing climate anxiety, support them by validating their concerns instead of outright dismissing them. Even if you don’t have suggestions, just listening can help.

In Conclusion

Climate change is uncertain, and so are its effects. But, if climate change is a man-made problem, the solution must also be man-made. Reducing climate change and its consequences is the only way to eradicate climate anxiety.

Even though this may seem far off, you can reduce your climate anxiety for the time being by taking initiative and managing the situation; even if it seems like a small step, it can have a significant impact.

At the same time, if your climate anxiety is overwhelming you, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.