HomeHealth articlesanxietyHow Can Climate Anxiety Be Managed?

Management of Climate Anxiety- Distinct Therapies

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Climate change affects not only the planet and survival but also the human psyche. Read about the psychological effects of climate change in the article below.

Written by

Dr. Chandhni. S

Medically reviewed by

Paratwar Nayana Kapil

Published At June 1, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 27, 2024

Introduction

It is a well-known fact that climate change is one of the biggest global threats of the 21st century. Climate change can wreak havoc on the social and environmental determinants of health, such as food, shelter, clean drinking water, clean air, etc., all of which are the basic necessities of life. In addition, the psychological impacts of climate change were addressed by the American Psychological Association in their reports released in 2010. The report examined issues such as the psychosocial implications of climate change, coping strategies, barriers to action against climate change, and the role of psychologists. The events triggered by climate change that scientists have been warning us of in the past decades are unfolding in the present. This is evident from daily news cycles and social media feeds and led to the term ‘climate anxiety’ being coined.

What Is Climate Anxiety?

Rising global temperatures and climate change have led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of calamities like droughts, floods, heatwaves, storms, and wildfires, leaving widespread death and destruction in their wake. The sense of fear and anxiety that comes with the knowledge of these adverse effects of climate change is known as climate anxiety. It can be defined as a heightened emotional, mental, or somatic sense of distress due to dangerous changes in climate.

Who Is Affected by Climate Anxiety?

Climate anxiety can affect just about anyone, but it more profoundly manifests in the younger generation, in the first-line responders to natural disasters since they experience the aftermath firsthand, climate activists, scientists, or anyone with vast knowledge and awareness of the threat climate change poses. Complex types of climate trauma and anxiety may be present in a few individuals, having intergenerational effects when environmental damage has resulted in the loss of a culture or way of life. Populations at a greater risk of being exposed to the adversities of climate change are those belonging to the lower socioeconomic section, children, the elderly, chronically ill individuals, and those with limited mobility. These groups are the most vulnerable and helpless when disaster hits.

What Are the Characteristic Features of Climate Anxiety?

It is associated with a long-term fear of environmental doom. Anxiety is related to other emotions like rage and grief. Climate anxiety can range from mild stress to clinical depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even suicidal tendency. It could further lead to harmful and unhealthy coping strategies such as substance misuse or intimate partner violence. Symptoms of climate anxiety can include:

  • Irritability.

  • Loss of appetite.

  • Disturbed sleep or sleeplessness.

  • Panic attacks.

  • Weakness.

Fatalism, hopelessness, and fear have been increasing globally. The older generations can experience guilt since they feel responsible for the destruction and lack of sustainability that has led to the current state. Climate anxiety can either drive individuals to raise awareness and participate in climate activism and activist movements, to push governments to take responsible action, or it can be so overwhelming that one is unable to act constructively.

What Causes Inaction Among Those Conscious of Climate Change?

Four psychological hypotheses have been proposed to understand why people do not act against climate change.

  • Faulty Alarm Hypothesis - It is based on the evolutionary ability of humans to respond to immediate and visible threats which have a direct personal impact. Climate change is a gradual process, and it does not obstruct daily life; hence there is a lack of risk perception. An immediate life-threatening event, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic, elicited behavioral changes rapidly due to the immediate threat to survival.

  • Social Dilemma or the Bystander Effect - This represents a conflict between individual and collective self-interest. One might feel too insignificant or that one’s actions are not going to be impactful in the fight against climate change.

  • Disconnection From Nature - With modernization, humans have drifted away from nature. Nature is no more a significant part of life for a lot of people. This hypothesis suggests that due to disconnection from nature, people do not care enough to protect it or realize it is threatened.

  • Denial or Apathy as a Defense Mechanism Against Anxiety - This is a complex way in which humans defend themselves from climate anxiety. As opposed to the faulty alarm hypothesis, here, the threat of climate change is perceived to a large extent. The inability to deal with it results in denial.

How Can Climate Anxiety Be Managed?

People with climate anxiety can be nervous and scared and face apocalyptic fears with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Here are some therapies to combat these feelings:

  • Personal responsibility and action- Convert climate anxiety into positive stress to start working for an environmental cause. One should regularly share distress, thoughts, and fears with a trusted circle of friends or join support groups where one’s feelings can be addressed. Spending time, resources, or energy towards climate activism can alleviate guilt. If one’s personal and professional commitments are not conducive to participating in protests or activism, one can provide monetary support to organizations fighting for the cause. One can adopt lifestyle changes and be more eco-friendly by cycling more often, shifting to greener forms of energy, and conserving resources.

  • Spreading awareness among other people to educate them on ways to combat climate change.

  • Educating the youth, validating their fears, or even inspiring them to take up education or build a career around environmental protection.

  • Reconnecting with nature to realize its importance.

  • Though there is a lot of negative news on social media platforms and news channels regarding climate change, there is positive news as well. Celebrate those small wins and look for such positive news regarding climate change. One can place filters on the social media feed to avoid grim news that can cause unhealthy fear and gloom.

Conclusion

Climate anxiety is not a mental health disorder but fear and anxiety rooted in the threats of climate change and its impact on human survival. Existential fear, anxiety, depression, etc., could be present. Acknowledging it as a global problem and acting towards it rather than considering it a disease is a better approach to managing climate anxiety. Individual and community efforts toward the cause can help climate anxiety.

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Paratwar Nayana Kapil
Paratwar Nayana Kapil

Psychologist/ Counselor

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