Amelia Cutting
The climate warnings never stop: heatwaves, unusual temperatures at unusual times of year, floods, droughts, tornados- the list goes on.
In a recent survey, 10,000 young people from 10 different countries were asked about climate change. Three quarters of those people said that thinking about the future of the world was scary.
Significantly, for the first time ever it was shown that young people’s experience of climate anxiety is strongly linked to levels of government action on the issue.
58% of people said that their government was ‘betraying me and/or future generations’, while 64% felt their government was not doing enough to avoid environmental disaster.
Climate Anxiety
This experience of worry and distress in response to the climate crisis has been given a name: climate anxiety.
Though not yet formally a diagnosable condition, climate anxiety is receiving an increase in attention. Its disproportionate impacts on young people, children and communities with the least resources to overcome the adverse consequences of the climate crisis is gaining awareness every day.
Symptoms of climate anxiety go far beyond just worry. It may also bring feelings of despair, anger, fear, isolation and guilt. It can also result in a fixation on negative news.
"Whether one calls it climate anxiety, ecological grief or something else, deep concern about global warming is increasingly affecting many people’s everyday life."https://t.co/urpqmWpFrD
— Dr. Nida Mirza |she/her| (@DrNidaMirza) October 10, 2021
For most, the underlying emotion is the fear of an uncertain future.
The mental health impacts of climate change can be divided into three categories: direct, indirect, and anticipated impacts.
The direct impacts include increased extreme weather events like tropical storms and hurricanes, as well as warming oceans, and increasing temperatures.
The indirect impacts, such as declines in farming and food availability, also have negative health implications physically and mentally.
Anticipated climate anxiety arises due to the foreboding feelings about climate change- the doom and worry about what will become of the planet for the future.
What can be done?
Many ask the question: ‘what difference can I actually make in the grand scheme of things?’
Scientists have said repeatedly, that taking action, however small, can help ease these anxieties: plant-based diets, recycling, engaging with politics and protests.
Even leading scientists in the climate change field find that doing small things makes them feel better- Dr Nana Ama Browne Klutse, who contributed to a major report on climate change this year said she occasionally plants mango saplings by the roadside.
Though aware that this action will not save the world in itself, it eased her fears and guilt about not playing her part.
There is also room for progress and action in policy-making spaces. In November, the COP26 global climate summit is to be held in Glasgow. It will be a crucial and defining event with almost 200 countries being asked for their plans to cut emissions and take other actions that could lead to major changes to our everyday lives.
Whether climate change can be brought under control will be contigent on these governments taking the decisive action required.
https://twitter.com/COP26/status/1447124747096051714
“We need everybody.”
And if you want to help push for change in climate policy, you might find relief in direct action. Dr Jonathan Foley has worked on climate change for thirty years as a researcher, author and government advisor, now investigating climate change solutions. For him, action can take many forms, and this is exactly what helps him ease climate anxieties.
“Some people might become activists because they’re really angry and they want to shake things up. Great, we need that. Others could be artists and want to share how they feel and inspire others. Great, we need that too. We need everybody.”
Dr Natalie Jones, specialist in existential risk at the University of Cambridge, found relief in finding like-minded people at protests and other events:
“It is an atmosphere you can’t beat. As soon as you meet other people who have the same concerns, you’re like, ‘okay, I would much rather be here.”
Help and Resources
Reliable and accessible information is crucial to handling climate anxiety too. Knowing how you can connect more strongly with nature, make greener choices, and join groups can all help by creating a sense of solidarity and productivity.
If you need help, here are two fantastic resources to help manage climate anxiety:
Full of informative articles and videos about changing anxiety to action, managing eco-emotions and speaking to children about it, this website is great. Their latest book: ‘Turn the Tide on Climate Anxiety’ is also available to pre-order here.
‘A community of educators empowering students to take climate action’ is another useful site full of information and tool kits to help respond to climate chaos.
Featured image courtesy of TheDigitalArtist via Pixabay. Image licence can be found here. No changes were made to this image.
Amelia Cutting
I'm Amelia- a graduate from the University of Leeds and current NCTJ Level 5 Diploma student!