Rising prevalence of eco-anxiety and climate anxiety is a growing concern

The rising prevalence of eco-anxiety and climate anxiety, particularly among children and youth, is a growing concern. Various terms like solastalgia, climate grief, environmental despair, and eco-guilt have gained attention, contributing to a complex landscape of emotions related to environmental degradation. 

The impact of these emotions poses a significant challenge to environmental and sustainability education. High levels of anxiety may hinder both psychological and physical sustainability, yet it can also serve as an important signal of the ecological crisis’s severity.

Understanding connection between environment and mental health

Eco-anxiety has both positive and negative effects on environmental education, ecological crisis and hindrances, depending on its manifestations. A significant number of environmental educators face the risk of burnout and severe mental states due to constant exposure to ecological damage and the persistent pressures to address these issues. 

Read more: How poverty and violence are linked with anxiety in young South Africans

This exposure to environmental challenges can lead to eco-anxiety and other intense ecological emotions. These emotions may transfer between educators and students in both directions, creating a shared yet unspoken experience. This silent exchange of emotions raises awareness about the emotional toll of environmental education and underscores the need for comprehensive support mechanisms within the field.

Earlier in September last year, an area of Nagpur city experienced flash floods for the first time in history, one that wreaked havoc on residential settings and offices / institutes alike. Fortunately, there were no casualties as it happened in the middle of the night. Besides the material destruction and disruption of daily living, mental health went for a toss. Affected persons have still not recovered from the loss that came with it and may take years for them to do so. 

People living in areas prone to natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, drought, mudslides, cloudbursts, forest fires or floods can suffer constant anxiety and fear of potential harm / recurrence. Climate change factors such as extreme weather conditions, excessive rainfall, excessive heat, excessive cold and snow can be a trigger for anxiety in some and lead to stress in daily living. 

Similarly, living in a high-crime area, a politically volatile area that witnesses frequent community clashes and war, or in an area with poor air and water quality that can lead to physical health problems can also contribute to increased anxiety levels.

Read more: Scrolling into stress: How climate fears hit youth

Studies around eco-anxiety

Numerous studies suggest a correlation between anxiety and environmental factors. For instance, Verplanken et al (2020) examined the extent to which “eco-anxiety” correlates with pro-environmental beliefs and behaviours. 

However, the authors stipulate that an individual is “anxious” about climate change to the extent they report high levels of seven emotions when thinking about global warming: Afraid, nervous, scared, upset, guilty, ashamed and distress. A 2017 report from the American Psychological Association defined eco-anxiety as the “chronic fear of environmental doom. 

While these studies suggest strong correlations between environmental factors and anxiety, it’s important to note that individual responses to the environment can vary widely. Some people might be more sensitive or resilient to certain environmental stressors than others. Additionally, other factors, such as genetics, personal experiences, and individual coping mechanisms, also play a role in determining how environmental factors affect anxiety levels.

Researchers continue to explore these relationships to better understand the complex interactions between environmental factors and mental health, including anxiety, and how interventions or changes in the environment might positively impact psychological well-being. 

Research studies also suggest that there is a gender and demographic differential for anxiety. As majority caregivers, women are more prone to experience anxiety disorders than men and certain demographic factors such as age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status may also play a role in the prevalence and expression of anxiety.

Moreover, societal and cultural factors can also influence the perception and experience of anxiety within different demographic groups. 

Read more: The ‘Gulf Stream’ will not collapse in 2025: What the alarmist headlines got wrong

Globally, the psychological impact of environmental issues, recognised by forums like 28th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  and the World Health Organization has led to discussions on emotions like grief, trauma, and stress.

Among these, eco-anxiety, triggered by the ecological crisis, stands out as a profound emotional response.

Continued research and evolving solutions are needed to benefit both the environment and individuals facing emotional challenges. Future studies and interventions hold potential for enhancing understanding and providing effective solutions for environmental sustainability and mental health.

Tips to keep such anxiety at bay

Since eco-anxiety is a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon, its symptoms may vary from person to person based on their unique experiences. Those who recognise anxiety as a disorder may get assistance sooner to prevent the condition from getting worse.

If someone is distressed due to eco-anxiety, these tips can help:

• Think positive and regulate your emotions 
• Practice relaxation and brief meditation exercises daily
• Lead a disciplined and healthy lifestyle by a nutritious diet and exercise
• Engage in hobbies, sports, and community activities.
• Connect with family and friends and spend time with them. 
• Start a support group of affected people. 
• Seek professional help from a psychologist.

With this, therapies such as deep breathing, relaxation methods, cognitive-behavioral therapy, yoga, meditation and mindfulness strategies can help manage anxiety. Physical exercise, nature walks, gardening, socialising, and support groups of affected persons can be relieving.

Read more: World Mental Health Day: COVID-19 pandemic has worsened our mindscape

Limiting news consumption and social media scrolling can be useful. Developing coping strategies such as building resilience, problem-solving and emotional regulation can be helpful in the long run. 

Dual impact: Physical and mental manifestations

The physical manifestations of pollution on people are imminent, as it impacts everyone exposed to it. For example, if there is a dust storm, everyone exposed will cough. The mental manifestations are slow to show up, go generally unreported and are often not understood by the sufferer as well as others. 

The awareness of mental impacts is poor and hence manifests itself only in the long run as it becomes a chronic condition. We know that besides pollution, multiple factors in the environment impacts the individual to create the disease. 

There are host factors within the individual (constitution, genetics, immunity) and within the environment (job stress, quality of family relationships, economic status, age, other types of stresses) that interact to create the disease. The ensuing mental impacts are slower to manifest as they are ignored and neglected.    

Children and their mental health can be impacted in various ways and varying degrees by climate change. Exposure to traumatic events can lead to emotional trauma and long-term stress. The disruption of routine and school life leads to educational disruption and anxiety. 

Read more: There is a link between heat and mental health; and climate change is making it more pronounced

There is a sense of loss of security and a safe environment if their homes are damaged and destroyed. Lack of a healthy and nutritious good diet may lead to malnutrition and poor cognitive development and further expose them to several health risks. They may worry about the future when they learn of climate change leading to distress and anxiety.  

This is an important area for research and India has yet to gear up for it. Research on eco-mental health deserves attention. Scholars and environmental psychologists should explore the psychological impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on individuals in the Indian context.

Dr Meenakshi Venkataraman, an ecologist, is the International Director of the Projects Division, of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group; and Rita Aggarwal is a human resource trainer, a pioneer of psychological counselling in central India and a gold medallist in Psychology at her Masters and Bachelors. She is also Consultant Psychologist and Founder Director, Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives

Views expressed are the authors’ own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth

Read more: