Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing humanity and, at the same time, a growing source of psychological concern. In recent years, a new term has become popular that resonates both in clinical and social settings: eco-anxietyThis concept refers to the anxiety that some people experience when faced with a feeling of uncertainty about the planet's environmental future. In this article, we will explore in depth what eco-anxiety is, its causes, associated symptoms, its impact on different populations and how we can deal with this situation from a personal and collective perspective.
What is ecoanxiety
Eco-anxiety is a feeling of chronic fear or worry related to climate change and environmental degradation. The term, although It is not officially recognized as a mental disorder., has gained relevance in recent decades due to the growing concern about natural disasters and environmental degradation. The American Psychological Association defines it as “the chronic fear of an environmental cataclysm.”
This phenomenon affects people of all ages, although it has been observed that it is the younger generations that feel higher levels of discomfort about the uncertain future. Youth, also known as the "climate generation", has grown up in a context where environmental threats as forest fires, heat waves, deforestation and species extinction are part of their daily reality.
Eco-anxiety is also related to other terms, such as solastalgia, a concept coined in 2005 by Australian philosopher Glenn Albrecht, which describes the pain or grief caused by the loss of one's natural environment. Unlike nostalgia, which refers to sadness at being away from home, solastalgia involves a kind of suffering at seeing one's home or nearby natural environment destroyed.
Eco-anxiety can manifest itself in a mild form as an occasional restlessness, but sometimes it evolves into a paralyzing fear of the future, interrupting daily activities. According to a study published in the journal The Lancet, more than 45% of young people between 16 and 25 years old admit that concern about climate change negatively affects their daily lives.
Causes of eco-anxiety
Eco-anxiety is not a psychological disorder in the clinical sense, but rather an emotional and intuitive response to the existential threats posed by climate change. There are multiple causes that can trigger feelings of eco-anxiety:
- Exposure to information about environmental disasters: News of wildfires, extreme storms, droughts, heat waves and other natural disasters are regularly reported in the media, leaving many people feeling helpless in the face of the magnitude of the problem.
- Consumption of natural resources and its impact: Problems related to water scarcity, deforestation and overexploitation of natural resources can generate feelings of responsibility and guilt among those who are highly environmentally conscious.
- Political inaction: The lack of consistent or committed action by governments in the face of the climate emergency contributes to frustration and fear of a bleak future.
- Most frequent extreme weather events: The frequency and intensity of hurricanes, earthquakes, cyclones and typhoons has increased in recent years, creating a growing sense of vulnerability.
These factors, combined with a global feeling of uncertainty, are the main triggers of this anxiety related to the state of the planet.
Environmental problems related to climate change
Climate change generates a wide range of environmental problems that contribute to eco-anxiety. Among the most prominent are:
- Extreme weather events: Heat waves, hurricanes, storms, forest fires and the increase in phenomena such as torrential rains are directly related to global warming and cause serious ecological and social damage.
- Sea level rise: Melting ice caps and glaciers are adding millions of litres of water worldwide, threatening to flood coastal areas and displace millions of people.
- Disappearance of species: The loss of biodiversity is another alarming aspect. It is estimated that climate change could lead to the extinction of 25% of species in the coming decades.
- Air and water pollution: Smog, carbon dioxide and other air pollutants are responsible not only for environmental destruction, but also seriously affect human health, increasing the incidence of respiratory diseases and other health problems.
- Accumulation of waste in oceans and seas: Plastic pollution and marine litter are also pressing problems that severely affect marine life and aquatic ecosystems.
All of this creates a collective sense of urgency, as well as an obvious psychological impact on those who feel powerless to mitigate the damage.
Psychological impact of eco-anxiety
Eco-anxiety does not affect all people equally. Those who demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to ecology and environmental protection, along with a deep attachment to the natural environment, tend to be the most vulnerable to this type of anxiety. The most common symptoms include:
- General anxiety: A constant feeling of nervousness or apprehension about the future.
- Stress and depression: In severe cases, eco-anxiety can lead to depression.
- Sleep disorders: Excessive concern about climate change can affect people's sleep cycles.
- Guilty feeling: Many people feel guilty about their everyday actions, such as using plastics, driving or eating meat.
- Feelings of impotence: With little power to stop climate change, those affected may experience a sense of hopelessness.
The psychological impact is not limited to the individual, but can also affect social relationships. For some people, eco-anxiety can lead to tensions in their relationships due to differing views on the seriousness of the environmental problem.
Eco-anxiety in young people and children
One of the groups that suffers most from eco-anxiety is children and young people. According to recent studies, levels of eco-anxiety are on the rise among children and adolescents, especially in those countries most vulnerable to climate change. Young people are particularly worried about the future, and their anxiety is heightened by the inaction of governments and adults in the face of the climate emergency.
In this sense, children who grow up watching news about natural disasters, or who witness phenomena such as fires or floods, may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares and even develop phobias weather events. This anxiety can also cause physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
It is essential that parents and educators provide adequate emotional support and coping strategies. Studies suggest that talking openly with children about their fears and concerns, as well as involving them in eco-friendly activities that allow them to feel that they are contributing in some way to the conservation of the planet, can significantly reduce levels of eco-anxiety.
How to combat eco-anxiety
Although eco-anxiety often has a negative impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it, There are various strategies to address it and improve emotional well-being. Here are some of the most effective ones:
- Educate yourself on the topic: One of the best ways to reduce eco-anxiety is to become well informed about climate change. By better understanding the problem and knowing solutions, it is possible to transform fear into action.
- Taking individual actions: Although we cannot stop climate change on an individual level, adopting sustainable habits such as recycling, reducing meat consumption, choosing public transport or planting trees can have a positive impact and reduce the feeling of helplessness.
- Joining green groups: Environmental activism can be a great outlet for anxiety, and joining forces with others who are interested in the cause can create a sense of community and reduce hopelessness.
- Seek psychological support: If symptoms of eco-anxiety are severe, it may be helpful to seek help from a therapist who specializes in anxiety or environmental mental health.
The key to mitigating eco-anxiety lies in changing perspective. While climate change is a monumental challenge, taking a proactive and individual approach allows us to create positive changes. These changes, although small on a global scale, can make a big difference to our mental health and sense of agency.
It is essential that future generations continue to fight for climate, the environment and ecology to be treated with the importance they deserve. Being aware of our actions and advocating for change at the government and corporate level will lead to a significant improvement in the state of the planet, and with it, in our quality of life.