My patients have expressed explicit worries about climate change for the first time in my decades of practice. Will there even be a planet? I don’t think I want to have children when our future is so uncertain.
According to a 2022 Yale University survey, 27% of Americans say they are “very worried” about global warming, and 64% report being at least “somewhat worried.” About 1 in 10 respondents reported frequent symptoms of anxiety about global warming, and almost as many reported symptoms of depression. Young people are even more concerned, as evidenced in a 2021 large international study of 16-25 year-olds (published in Lancet), with 59% reporting they are “extremely worried” and 84% reporting they are at least “moderately worried.” This is not surprising, as younger people will disproportionately suffer the consequences of climate change. And almost half of the study participants who reported discussing their climate concerns with others said they felt ignored or dismissed.
There is also concern about the possible long-term effects of resulting chronic stress, including the development of psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and/or substance abuse disorders, as well as physical disorders. With the celebration of Earth Day this month, it seems like the ideal time to recognize these genuine worries about the effects of climate change, now labeled climate anxiety or eco-anxiety, and recommend ways to manage them. Here are some helpful strategies:
Take Action: To combat feelings of uncertainty, loss of control, and helplessness, consider joining a climate action group or lobbying politicians and leaders in the industry.
Share Worries: Remember you are not alone in your concerns. You can talk to friends, family members, a therapist, or a support group
Make Lifestyle Changes: Find ways to make changes consistent with your values and lifestyle, and give yourself credit for doing so.
- Practice the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle
- Consider transportation changes such as increasing your use of public transportation or switching to an electric vehicle
- Lower your energy use in the home or consider using renewable energy such as solar panels or installing a heat pump
- Change the way you garden by using more native plants and eliminating the use of chemicals
Take A Break: Maintaining a constant focus on stressors is not healthy. Consider turning off the television climate news and limiting reading related emails. Enjoy simple pleasures, whether it is socializing with friends and family or engaging in favorite activities.
Practice Self-Care: Make sure to maintain healthy routines such as good sleep habits, healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation.
Spend Time In Nature: Focus on the positive aspects of the natural environment by taking a hike, riding a bike, gardening, or relaxing at the beach or a park
Change Some Thoughts: Consider being less judgmental of yourself and others by minimizing the “shoulds” or negative assumptions. Try to practice optimism and cultivate hope for the future
Practice Emotional Coping: It can be helpful to label and validate your feelings while realizing others feel the same way. Practice self-compassion. Recognize the ups and downs of emotions and likeliness that you will feel better soon.
Overall, it is important to focus on what you can control and remember you are not alone in your climate anxiety. Remember that you do not need to take full responsibility, but if we all do a little, we can accomplish a great deal. You can adopt a problem-solving attitude, seek social support, and take good care of yourself.
Dr. Jayne Schachter is a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She provides cognitive-behavioral treatment through individual psychotherapy, parent counseling, and group therapy. Her areas of expertise include (but are not limited to) the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, behavior problems, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, effects of divorce, toileting issues, gender identity concerns, and coping with medical illness.
