Until recently, research on the harmful impacts of climate change on humans has focused primarily on physical health. Today, there is a growing recognition that climate change and climate change awareness can negatively impact mental health through such emotional responses as increased anxiety. This paper provides evidence of the existence of climate anxiety, especially in how it relates to children, including those who have not been directly affected by climate change. Also offered are some suggestions for addressing climate anxiety as a mental health concern.
People who care about environmental issues or have experienced some negative impacts of climate change are more likely to have climate anxiety than other people. Younger adults also tend to experience climate anxiety more than other age groups. Older children, however, are more interested in and concerned about climate change than many adults. For some children, climate change is a source of worry or stress. While the research is still scarce, some evidence suggests that climate anxiety may be or may become more prevalent among indigenous groups, due to their greater physical, emotional, and cultural connections to the natural environment.
Behavioral responses to climate anxiety can be varied. For some, climate anxiety may motivate them to become more actively involved in pro-environmental work. For others, climate anxiety may inhibit them from becoming actively involved in conservation issues, as the anxiety causes a form of emotional paralysis. Appropriate goals for climate anxiety interventions include promoting (1) individual wellbeing and (2) engagement in activities to mitigate climate change. The first goal (individual wellbeing) relates to how effectively people manage their own emotional responses to climate change. Three different coping strategies have been identified: (1) problem-focused (becoming more informed about the problem), (2) emotion-focused (de-emphasizing the problem), and (3) meaning-focused (gaining new perspectives and finding hope). Of these, meaning-focused strategies may be the most effective in promoting active engagement in mitigating climate change. Meaning-focused strategies may also be the most effective in buffering emotional stress and decreasing negative affect.
Recommendations for addressing climate anxiety well-being concerns include tapping into the restorative potential of experiences in nature. This recommendation is based on research showing positive associations between connections with nature and greater subjective wellbeing. Recommendations also include involving children in efforts to mitigate climate change. Doing so addresses both societal and individual wellbeing in that “addressing climate change may itself have positive effects on the mental health of those who are involved.” Such positive effects include enhanced sense of efficacy or empowerment, stronger social ties, and an enhanced sense of meaning. While these recommendations may be appropriate and effective for most people experiencing climate anxiety, others may be so severely distressed that other strategies – such as distancing self from the topic – become necessary.
A major theme running throughout this paper is the understanding that climate change – while certainly an environmental problem – is also a psychological and social problem. The accompanying climate anxiety experienced by many people is also real and warrants the attention of mental health professionals.
Research Partner