A recent global study of 10,000 young people from 10 countries found that nearly 60 percent of them are extremely concerned about the future state of the planet. This report was published in the medical journal Lancetalso found that nearly half of respondents said that such discomfort affects them on a daily basis, and three-quarters agreed with the statement that “the future is scary.” This, and many other studies, clearly show that climate change is not the only threat to the environment in which we live. It is also a very real threat to our emotional well-being.
Psychologists have categorized these feelings of sadness, distress, and worry about the current climate emergency—a common occurrence among today’s youth—as “environmental anxiety.” According to the Climate Psychology Alliance, eco-anxiety is defined as “extreme emotional, mental, or physical distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system.” Echo anxiety doesn’t just affect young people. It also affects researchers working in the climate and ecological sciences, affected by the realities revealed by their findings, and affects the most economically marginalized people around the world, who disproportionately bear the devastating effects of climate collapse. .
By 2024, environmental anxiety will become one of the leading causes of mental health problems. The reasons are clear. Scientists estimate that the world is likely to leave safe levels of temperature rise above pre-industrial levels for the first time by 2027. In recent years, we have seen forest fires in Canada and Greece, and summer floods have devastated areas in Pakistan. It is home to nearly 33 million people. Studies have shown that people who are affected by air pollution and rising temperatures are more likely to experience psychological distress.
Worse, in the face of climate catastrophe, our political class is not providing strong leadership. The COP28 conference in Dubai is managed by one of the managers of the oil and gas company. In the UK, the government is backtracking on its green commitments.
Fortunately, higher levels of environmental anxiety will also be a way to deal with the climate crisis. Caroline Hickman, an environmental anxiety researcher from the University of Bath, warns that the feelings of worry, sadness, hopelessness and despair associated with environmental anxiety should not be pathologised. However, the cause of this psychological distress is undeniably external. According to Hickman, anyone who experiences these emotions has perfectly natural and rational responses to the climate crisis. His suggestion? Use environmental anxiety as a tool for good – as an emotion that can inspire people to take action to protect our planet.
That’s why in 2024, we’ll see more people around the world join the fight for climate justice and seek jobs that prioritize environmental sustainability. Campaigners are putting more pressure on fossil fuel industries and the governments that subsidize them to quickly stop using polluting coal, oil and gas. It is now clear that they are not only to blame for the climate crisis, but also for the mental health crisis that is beginning to affect most of us. Environmental anxiety isn’t something we’ll beat with therapy—we’ll deal with it by taking action.
