Droughts, floods, forest fires, storms—climate hazards are numerous and are felt here as well. The World Health Organization classifies climate change as a fundamental threat to human health. An increase in the intensity and frequency of climate hazards is anticipated as the climate crisis unfolds. The climate crisis, the socio-ecological transition, and climate change are terms that are now part of our daily reality. Through this situation, a new term is also emerging: eco-anxiety.
According to the Climate Action Barometer (2023), nearly three out of four Quebecers say they are very concerned about environmental problems, and 89% of the population believes that the consequences will worsen if we delay taking action against climate change. The climate issue is therefore very much on the minds of Quebecers.
There are several definitions of eco-anxiety. It can be understood as follows: ”[…] through the experience of emotions and concerns to varying degrees about the environment, environmental or social impacts, the future or observed inaction […]” (Lopes, 2023: 12).
Many agree that a degree of concern for our environment can be a source of motivation and a catalyst for action, even a healthy and normal reaction to climate change. For some, eco-anxiety is accompanied by distress, despair, and helplessness, and can impair a person’s optimal functioning. In this situation, it constitutes a mental health issue, and professional help should be considered. Eco-anxiety can therefore be experienced very differently from one person to another and lead to diverse effects.
According to the Climate Action Barometer, more than half of Quebecers (54%) experienced eco-anxiety in the past year. This rate is higher than in previous years. 68% of the population felt powerless in the face of climate change. Finally, a third of the population often or almost always felt worried about the future of humanity in the past year.
Who are the most affected?
Everyone can be affected at some point by eco-emotions, such as eco-anxiety. It is understood that certain members of the population are more vulnerable, such as women, young people, young parents, scientists and activists, as well as those who have experienced natural disasters or the direct consequences of environmental problems. Indigenous peoples and farmers are other groups at higher risk of eco-anxiety.
What to do when experiencing eco-anxiety?
Quebec’s climate action media outlet, un point cinq, offers us a survival guide to eco-anxiety :
1) Recognize our cognitive biases.
Be aware that we can interpret or perceive things in a certain way. For example, identifying that we tend to see the world in black and white, or catastrophically, or otherwise, can provide the necessary perspective to try to be more nuanced or more objective in our thinking.
2) Accept our emotional limitations in the face of the complexity of climate change.
Following the same approach as in the previous point, acknowledge the emotions we experience in relation to the climate situation and accept that we all have personal limitations in the face of the phenomenon’s scale.
3) Seek reliable sources of information.
It’s possible to find all sorts of writings related to climate change, ranging from climate skepticism to alarmist rhetoric that fosters feelings of helplessness and despair. Get informed through reliable sources that focus on the facts of the situation and strategies for addressing it. The National Institute of Public Health even offers a practical guide to support climate-change communication (see the link in the next section).
4) Engage in actions that reflect our concerns.
Whether individually or collectively, taking action can reduce anxiety by increasing our sense of self-efficacy. Collective actions can also contribute to the development of social connections that are beneficial to mental health and foster a sense of belonging to one’s community.
5) Practice self-compassion.
Avoid over-responsibility for the global climate situation, take care of yourself, maintain a balance between the different spheres of your life, beyond just environmental concerns, develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, practice mindfulness – these are different strategies to allow for a compassionate perspective on yourself.
6) Maintain contact with nature and the living world.
Contact with nature has been shown to have a positive impact on the mental health of those who engage with it. Immersing oneself in the living world, taking the time to appreciate nature, is an effective way to reconnect with oneself through mindfulness. This also allows for a pleasant and positive connection, bypassing the alarmist and worrying filter we sometimes have when we hear about environmental issues.
Experiencing eco-anxiety is normal in the current context. Don’t hesitate to seek help if this emotion is becoming too prominent in your life, causing you distress or difficulty maintaining social functioning.
