ECO-ANXIETY: what is climate change anxiety?

There has been a lot of talk recently about the phenomenon known as Eco-anxiety, namely the deep feeling of unease and fear that human beings get at the mere thought that new disasters linked to global warming and climate change might occur.

Extreme climatic events can cause environmental disasters that put our health and safety at serious risk, even threatening the survival of many species of animals and plants... and these are precisely the fears that have started to cause anxiety and unease in people.

The worst affected by Eco-anxiety

All over the world, youngsters are in the front line in the battle against climate change, fighting for the environment and actively supporting the cause. But the fear of building their future in a world that is deteriorating year after year, one catastrophe after another, triggers a strong feeling of anxiety, anger and unease in them.

The new generations are, in fact, the ones most badly affected by the Eco-anxiety phenomenon.

What are the symptoms?

Anxiety, stress, sadness, irritability, unease: these are the main symptoms. The climate crisis affects people as a real psychological disorder and the increase in extreme weather events, which until a few years ago were the exception and which today are ever more frequent, has a big effect on the lives of those who suffer from it.

How to Deal with Eco-anxiety

As this is an emerging issue, there are still different points of view about the phenomenon. What is certain is that humans have an inherent link with the Earth and Nature, essential for birth for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Based on this premise, two simple yet fundamental practical actions emerge that we advise those battling with Eco-anxiety to try:

• Talk to professionals, friends and families about climate and environment change: dialogue and talking with experts and our loved ones is important for helping us to build our own point of view and learn to react to the climate crisis, broadening our view.
• Consider our everyday choices and lifestyles:: what we buy, how we travel, what we eat... Each of our actions has a direct or indirect consequence on Nature. Consider our choices, being a good example for a better future.

These are just two suggestions that might help with Eco-anxiety and the emotional challenge that we are faced with in a constantly evolving world. However, it is indispensable to learn to tackle our emotions effectively, even when they are “negative” and disturbing, turning anxiety and worries into a driver for our virtuous actions towards the environment that surrounds us.