Understanding Eco-Anxiety and Climate Grief
Feeling the Heat
Extended heat waves. Rising sea levels. Floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
Everywhere we turn these days – whether it’s watching the news, checking our social media feeds, or just stepping outside our front doors – it seems we’re confronted with daily evidence of our warming planet. And the future isn’t looking so good, either. It’s no wonder that more people than ever are talking about the rise of eco-anxiety as a response to climate change.
What is Eco-Anxiety?
The term eco-anxiety has been defined as “a chronic sense of environmental doom.” A 2020 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 56% of Americans believed that climate change is the most important issue in the world today. And more than two thirds (68%) said they have “at least a little” eco-anxiety due to climate change.
The Link Between Climate Change, Mental Health, and Grief
Research shows that climate change is affecting mental health in societies all over the world. Our mental health and overall well-being depend in large part on a sense of safety and predictability in our environments. Unfortunately, climate change is producing more extreme weather patterns that can be unpredictable and destructive. This can lead us to feel a range of negative emotions, from mild anxiety to fear, helplessness, and despair.
Ecological grief, or eco-grief, can be described as "the grief felt in relation to experienced or anticipated ecological losses, including the loss of species, ecosystems, and meaningful landscapes due to acute or chronic environmental change."
When the snowy winters of our childhood are replaced extreme rain and floods; when it’s too hot outside to enjoy a summer picnic in the park; or when a beloved green space is bulldozed to make way for a new housing development, we can experience grief much in the same way as losing a loved one.
The Impacts of Eco-Anxiety and Climate Grief
Eco-anxiety and climate grief can impact individuals in many different ways, contributing to symptoms such as:
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Intrusive Thoughts
Rumination
Social Withdrawal
Feelings of Hopelessness
In addition to these impacts on the individual level, vulnerable communities are more likely to experience collective grief or trauma due to climate change. For example, people living in flood-prone areas bear the brunt of increased rainfall leading to property damage or even displacement. Many older schools and libraries in our cities lack modern infrastructure such as air conditioning, which can create a public health hazard for the low-income communities that rely on these essential services.
Coping Strategies for Eco-Anxiety
Eco-anxiety and climate grief bring up uncomfortable, even painful feelings, and it can be tempting to avoid them. Yet facing the truth of our experience is often the first step in healing. The following strategies can help:
Acknowledge and honor your feelings. Tune into the anxiety you feel when you watch the news of the latest disaster, or that vague sense of impending doom or dread when you think about the future. Take a deep breath and acknowledge your emotions with self-compassion. Remember, what you are feeling is understandable and valid, and many others are having similar thoughts and feelings. You are not alone.
Focus on what you can control. When it comes to climate change, there are many forces at work that are beyond one person’s control. Instead of fixating on, say, your neighbor’s frequent Amazon deliveries, try to shift the focus to small changes you can make in your life that are aligned with your values. For example, you could start shopping for clothes at thrift stores to reduce global waste and pollution, or plant a street tree outside your house to provide shade and help clean the air in your neighborhood.
Find joy in connecting with nature. This is one of the most effective ways to cope with eco-anxiety! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what’s wrong with the world that we forget to enjoy the gifts that are all around us. Take time regularly to connect with and appreciate the natural world. Go for a hike, try birdwatching, or visit a national park. Nature is precious, and now is the time to experience it with reverence and gratitude.
Advocate and organize for change. While we can’t stop climate change’s worst impacts with individual actions alone, together we can be a powerful force for good. Consider contributing your time and/or money to a campaign for environmental justice at the local, national, or global levels. Connecting with others who share your vision and values can be incredibly empowering, and even fun!
When to Seek Professional Support
If eco-anxiety and climate grief are taking a toll on your mental health over an extended period of time, it may be time to seek professional support. Notice how your thoughts and feelings about climate change are affecting things like your sleep, work, and relationships. Are you feeling hopeless or neglecting your own needs?
Talking things through with a therapist can help you gain perspective and identify steps you can take to feel better. Consider outdoor therapies, like Walk and Talk Therapy, to help strengthen your bond with nature and invite it to play a role in your healing. To take the next step, please reach out and book a free consultation here.