Christine Korol, PhD :
The world is on the brink of a climate crisis that could result in catastrophic consequences for human and natural life. Not only are we facing an increasingly unstable climate, but we’re also grappling with the psychological impacts of these changes. Climate anxiety is emerging as a serious mental health concern, particularly among children, teens, and young adults, with symptoms ranging from frustration to unrelenting anxiety.
A recent global survey illustrates the depth of anxiety many young people are feeling about climate change, with nearly 60% admitting to feeling worried. Symptoms of climate anxiety include:
Feeling overwhelmed or helpless about climate change.
Worrying excessively about the future.
Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath, and racing heartbeats.
Obsessively checking climate news and weather forecasts.
So how do we cope with climate anxiety? The first step is to understand that our reactions are normal. The climate crisis is alarming and overwhelming, but you can learn to cope. You are experiencing climate anxiety because you care about what is happening to our planet; that’s a good thing.
Next, try to find small reasons to be hopeful. Our natural inclination is to focus on the negative, and when it comes to climate change, this can be debilitating. We may catastrophize the future, thinking about all the ways climate change could ruin our lives. This can lead to feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness.
Some signs of hope when it comes to the climate, though, include climate-friendly initiatives undertaken by local governments, climate action groups across the world, and increased public interest in climate change. There are also many reasons to be hopeful about our society’s ability to adapt to climate impacts.
It can also help to remember that you’re not alone. Many people are struggling with these feelings and there are ways to cope. Connecting with other like-minded people who are working to fight climate change can help you feel less alone. A variety of organizations are taking climate action, and many are made up of people just like you.
Don’t forget to take action; getting involved in activism can help you feel like your efforts are making a difference. Whether it’s writing to a politician or participating in marches, getting involved is an important step toward climate wellness.
If you find that no matter what you do, you just can’t stop worrying, make sure you talk to a therapist experienced in helping people with climate anxiety. Therapy can teach you skills to reduce catastrophic thinking, lessen the physical symptoms of anxiety, and learn to cope with climate change constructively. This is especially important if you find yourself struggling with increasing feelings of sadness, hopelessness and unrelenting anxiety.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to climate change and we can all learn to cope with it in productive ways. It’s important not to let climate anxiety overwhelm you, but rather to see it as an opportunity for action and positive impact. As the impacts worsen, we can expect more people will experience climate-related stress; knowing the best ways to cope can help prevent a mental health crisis.
Finally, remember that there is hope for the future. No matter how bleak things may seem now, climate action from advocates and governments is already stemming the tide in some parts of the world.
(Christine Korol, PhD is a registered psychologist, Director of the Vancouver Anxiety Centre, and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at UBC).
