A recent global survey that polled 10,000 young people from 10 countries found that nearly 60 percent of them are extremely worried about the future state of the planet. The report, which was published in the medical journal The lancetalso showed that nearly half of those surveyed said that such stress affects them on a daily basis, and three-quarters agreed with the statement that “the future is scary.” This and many other studies make it clear that climate change is not only a threat to the environment we inhabit. It also poses a very real threat to our emotional well-being.
Psychologists have categorized these feelings of grief, distress and anxiety about the current climate emergency – common among young people today – under the label of ‘eco-anxiety’. According to the Climate Psychology Alliance, eco-anxiety is defined as “increased emotional, mental, or somatic distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system.” Environmental anxiety doesn’t just affect young people. It also affects researchers working in climate science and ecology, burdened by the reality depicted by their findings, and affects the world’s most economically marginalized, who bear the disproportionately devastating impacts of climate collapse.
In 2024 environmental anxiety will grow and become one of the leading causes of mental health problems. The reasons are obvious. Scientists estimate that the world is likely to breach safe levels of temperature rise above pre-industrial levels for the first time by 2027. Recent years have seen wildfires rip through Canada and Greece, and summer floods destroy regions of Pakistan that are home to nearly 33 million people. Studies show that those affected by air pollution and rising temperatures are more likely to experience psychological stress.
To make matters worse, in the face of climate catastrophe, our political class is not offering strong leadership. The COP28 conference in Dubai will be chaired by an oil and gas company executive. In the UK, the government is abandoning its environmental commitments.
Fortunately, higher levels of environmental concern will also offer a way to directly address the climate crisis. Caroline Hickman, an environmental anxiety researcher at the University of Bath, warns that the feelings of worry, grief, despair and despondency associated with environmental anxiety should not be pathologised. After all, the cause of this mental suffering is undoubtedly external. According to Hickman, anyone experiencing these emotions is exhibiting perfectly natural and rational responses to the climate crisis. Her suggestion? Harness eco-concern as a tool for good—as an emotion that can spur people to act in defense of our planet.
That’s why in 2024 we will see more people around the world join the fight for climate justice and seek jobs that prioritize environmental sustainability. The campaigns will put increased pressure on the fossil fuel industries and the governments that subsidize them to quickly phase out the use of polluting coal, oil and gas. It is now clear that not only are they the main culprits of the climate crisis, but they are also responsible for the mental health crisis that is beginning to affect most of us. Environmental anxiety isn’t something we’re going to beat with therapy—we’re going to deal with it by taking action.
