How to cope with climate anxiety

Climate anxiety is rising as the effects of climate change become more obvious.

Climate anxiety is the upset, despair, sadness, and anger a person experiences in response to human-made climate change. While the idea of climate change is daunting for most, for some, the dread becomes so all-consuming that it leads to “eco-paralysis” — an inability to take steps toward solutions. Accepting that climate change is happening is challenging, but you can learn to foster emotional resilience. 

A modicum of climate anxiety can inspire individuals to become climate activists and to take steps to combat climate change. However, some people’s overwhelming concern for the environment immobilizes them. If you constantly ruminate on climate change and struggle to focus or make decisions, if you experience physiological symptoms such as respiratory distress, and if you’ve lost your zeal for life, your climate anxiety is impairing your mental health. In extreme cases, climate anxiety can trigger clinical depression. Although anyone can succumb to climate anxiety, children and young adults are particularly susceptible...