What is Climate Anxiety and what can we do about it?
Climate anxiety, or Eco-Anxiety, is the distress caused by the impact of climate change.
It’s not a mental disorder, but rather a severe sense of unease about the future consequences of climate change.
Individuals also experience grief, anger, guilt, and shame, impacting their mood, behaviour, and thought processes.
Source: Harvard Health Publishing
Young people are most effected
The 2021 Eurobarometer survey shows that Climate Change is considered the most serious issue by 31% of Irish respondents, compared to 18% of the EU average.
In Ireland, 81% of respondents see climate change as a severe problem, ranking it above other issues.
A 2023 YouGov survey discovered 68% of British people are concerned about Climate Change.
In a study in The Lancet found that 84% of people between the ages of 16 and 25 across all countries are moderately concerned about Climate Change, with 59% being extremely or very worried.
According to UNICEF, nearly one billion children will be at “extremely high risk” from the Climate Crisis. Climate anxiety can increase the vulnerability of children and young adults to developing depression, stress, and substance abuse.
Sources: EU, Euronews Green, The Lancet, UNICEF
Meanwhile in Ireland…
A survey with young people in November 2022 as part of the ‘Youth Climate Justice Challenge’ found that:
- 97% feel concerned about Climate Change
- 47% feel as though no one listens
- 57% think climate action has not been acted on enough globally
- 84% are either involved or want to get involved in climate actions
- 49% want to see changes in big business and corporations
Leaving Cert students in the Republic of Ireland can study Climate Action and Sustainable Development from September 2024. This subject aims to empower students & reduce stress levels through collective problem-solving, ingenuity and motivation.
Also, a course named “Reducing Carbon Footprints Through Environmental Action” has been rolled out for GCSE and A-Level students in Northern Ireland since September 2023.
Tackling Climate Anxiety
You can’t take sole responsibility for saving the entire planet, but you can make changes within your remit and advocate for the future of humanity.
Niamh Delmar, Counseling Psychologist
While climate anxiety may be higher among youth, they are also actively engaged in trying to live in more environmentally friendly ways, and participating in protests and activism.
When talking to children about climate change, it’s important to listen to their concerns and clarify any misinformation. Climate Denial can exacerbate distress, so it’s better to encourage conversation and focus on steps that make a positive impact.
Proactive engagement and small actions such as involvement in school green teams or developing plans for a more environmentally friendly community can help alleviate Climate Anxiety.
Actions like replacing meat with plant-based alternatives, choosing organically grown and seasonally sourced food, and embracing nature can also soothe fears and promote a positive connection with the Earth.
Sources: RTE, NIH, Carbon Brief
What do you think?
Have you experienced climate anxiety yourself?
Have you noticed other people experiencing this?
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