Eco-anxiety is defined as being ‘a chronic fear of environmental doom’, also known as climate-anxiety or ecological grief.
In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed at COP21, in which 196 nations committed to limiting global warming to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by the end of the century. If this threshold is surpassed, it is likely that various tipping points will be reached, and catastrophic changes to the earth and the atmosphere will be irreversible. A United Nations report from October 2022 states that although nations are bending the curve of global greenhouse gas emissions downwards, the efforts being made are not enough to keep warming below 1.5 degrees. In fact, the Emissions Gap Report 2021 predicted that the world could be on track to reach 2.7 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels by the end of the century. In short, the future of our planet is hanging in the balance, and it doesn’t seem like a lot is being done about it.
When the present and the future looks so bleak, it is easy to understand why increasing numbers of people are suffering with eco-anxiety. When news of wildfires, flooding, drought, oil spills, natural disasters and pollution are omnipresent in media outlets and online, feelings of intense anxiety can only be viewed as entirely natural, as there is no shying away from the fact that permanent damage and change has been inflicted upon our planet.
Although climate change may seem like an impossible, wicked challenge, there are steps you can take to ease any eco-anxiety you may be experiencing. Although these steps will not be the solution to climate change, they may help you to alleviate your anxiety and fear about the direction that climate change is headed in.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that yes, climate change is a terrifying concept, and it is natural to want to completely shut out any feelings of anxiety about it completely. However, burying your head in the sand will not make these feelings go away, and will probably only intensify them. Therefore, it is important to be aware about the changes happening to our planet and allow yourself to feel your emotions and acknowledge that you are only one person who cannot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
You can also take a look at your personal habits and see where in your lifestyle you could adopt more sustainable practices. For example, cutting down on your meat and dairy intake, walking or taking public transport instead or driving, boycotting companies that are known to be endangering wildlife or actively contributing largely to climate change, flying less, and being water wise, are all options that you could consider incorporating into your way of life. Not only will this have a positive eco-impact, but it can also help to alleviate any guilt you may be feeling as a result of suffering with eco-anxiety.
Although it is important to acknowledge that magnitude and urgency of climate change, it is more important than ever to protect your mental health. Channel this fear and anxiety into creating change for the better.
Useful links
Carbon Footprint Calculator https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
UN Climate Press Release 2022 https://unfccc.int/news/climate-plans-remain-insufficient-more-ambitious-action-needed-now
Science News https://www.sciencenews.org/article/climate-earth-warming-emissions-gap-pledges
What happens if we pass 1.5 degrees of climate warming? https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/what-is-the-15-degrees-climate-change-pledge-what-happens-if-we-pass-15-degrees-of-global-warming-3455958