WHENEVER WE TURN ON THE TELEVISION OR read the latest news article, it seems like we can’t avoid the topic of climate change. Whether it is hurricanes in the Gulf South or wildfires on the West Coast, melting polar ice caps or rising ocean temperatures, climate change has made “once-in-a-lifetime” storms and other weather events an almost common occurrence. It is natural to be concerned about the state of our world’s climate, but those concerns can devolve into debilitating emotions of hopelessness, guilt, and anger known as climate anxiety.

Climate anxiety, also known as eco-anxiety or climate change anxiety, are feelings of distress related to the impacts of climate change. These feelings are often centered around the uncertainty and lack of control many feel when faced with the existential threat of climate change. Sarah Lowe, a clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), delves into further detail: according to Lowe, climate anxiety “can manifest as intrusive thoughts or feelings of distress about future disasters or the long-term future of human existence and the world, including one’s own descendants.”

Climate anxiety can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but some groups are more vulnerable to its effects. Younger generations are more prone to feelings of anxiety due to their childhood exposure to environmental education and social media, According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “more than two-thirds of adults (68%) [say] that they have at least a little ‘eco-anxiety,’ defined as any anxiety or worry about climate change and its effects. These effects may be disproportionately having an impact on the country’s youngest adults;

“nearly half of those age 18-34 (47%) say the stress they feel about climate change affects their daily lives.”

Children, teenagers, and young adults, already dealing with feelings of uncertainty about their futures, can feel heightened unease about a world troubled by climate crises and our responses to them.

But it’s not just young people. Parents and caregivers share similar worries and concerns for themselves and the futures of their children and loved ones. As frequent, destructive storms disrupt food and supply chain distribution, many wonder how they will be able to care for their most vulnerable relatives when disaster strikes.

Those who suffer from mental health conditions are also at risk of developing climate anxiety. Managing depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health issues are challenging. Climate anxiety, with its feelings of perceived lack of control and uncertainty, may exacerbate existing symptoms.

Tropical Storm heading to USA.Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

People from marginalized communities, such as those of lower incomes or people of color (POC), due to concerns over economic inequalities and environmental racism. In a paper for the National Library of Medicine, it states, “Studies of adults have found evidence of racial disparities related to climatic changes with respect to mortality, respiratory and cardiovascular disease, mental health, and heat-related illness.” Communities with more resources tend to recover quicker from climate disasters. Lower-income communities may need to rely on government institutions to provide aid. These communities bear the brunt of environmental pollution due to societal and political neglect. In an article for Scientific American, Daniel Cusick and E&E News state, “Almost all the most vulnerable communities are located along the Gulf Coast from Mobile, Ala., to Corpus Christi, Texas — a flood- and hurricane-prone region with significant levels of poverty, poor health, and economic and racial inequities. Communities in Memphis, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Chattanooga, Tenn., also scored high.” This index, called the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index, measures which communities face the greatest challenges from the effects of climate change across the nation.

Another vulnerable group are environmental activists. Environmental activists and advocates can feel the effects of climate anxiety acutely, as they have made environmental justice their life’s passion. Oftentimes, the stress can come because of their commitment to the cause in contrast with the glacial speed of progress on climate change policy. Dealing with corporate and government bureaucracy can be draining, even for the most passionate activist. The pressure to act quickly is intense, as scientists warn that the gap to avoid the worst effects of climate change is narrowing, so environmental activists must be extra careful not to be hampered by climate anxiety.

What can we do when we’re faced with the challenge of climate anxiety? Here are some steps you can take to protect your mental health while maintaining the fight for climate justice:

  1. Maintain a healthy media intake. Just as an overconsumption of junk food is unhealthy, so is doom scrolling on our devices. Don’t consume news close to bedtime, as it will make it difficult to sleep. Turn off social media notifications on your phone and computer, and limit online news consumption. Confused middle eastern young man feel shocked, receive bad unexpected message on cellphone, frustrated guy disappointed by problems with business touching glasses, reading news, closeup, copy space
  2. Practice self-care by engaging in activities that nurture your well-being. These activities can include mindfulness meditations. Instead of envisioning an apocalyptic future, focus on the present and what you can do here and now to make the future better.
  3. Choose your favorite form of exercise or hobby to relax. Being outdoors in nature is a huge stress reliever, so go for a walk in a park where you can appreciate nature’s beauty.
  4. Seek community support. The isolation of our minds is where we can feel the most lonesome. By being active in our communities, we can mitigate our feelings of loneliness and intact change in society. In an article by Matt Kristoffersen for YSPH, Assistant Professor of Public Health (Social & Behavioral Sciences) Sarah Lowe says, “There is definitely more research to be done, and we can’t make any claims about causality or the direction of the relationships[but our findings] suggest that engaging in collective action can buffer the effects of climate change anxiety and prevent it from leading to feelings of sadness and hopelessness that would be consistent with major depression.”
  1. Join local and national environmental groups that promote causes you are passionate about, such as wildlife preservation, sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, or recycling. You can even start small and join a local clean-up crew.
  2. Seek out the help of mental health professionals if the feelings of hopelessness and depression begin to interfere with daily life. While climate anxiety is not an official anxiety disorder, therapists can always help you navigate the storms of these troubled times.

 

Kelly Izdihar Crosby is a freelance writer and artist based in Atlanta, GA.