Climate change can feel overwhelming. Recent data shows that 2022 was 1.55 ° warmer than the 20th-century average of 57.0 °F, and NASA reports that extreme climate events are becoming more severe and more common.
If you’re climate-conscious, the relative lack of action taken by governments to counter global warming may make you feel anxious or frustrated. This is entirely reasonable, as a unified effort is necessary to counter climate change, yet many government officials are content to ignore the issue.
You can learn to manage your climate anxiety by taking action. Even small steps, like recycling more often and using public transport, can have a profound impact on your mental health and help you regain a sense of purpose.
Understanding Climate Anxiety
If climate-related news articles quicken your pulse or leave you feeling frustrated, you may be suffering from climate anxiety. Climate anxiety is a relatively new phenomenon that is defined as “heightened emotional, mental, or somatic distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate system.” This definition recognizes that your distress is a rational response to a dangerous change in the earth’s atmosphere.
However, left unchecked, climate anxiety can spiral into feelings of guilt and powerlessness. This can undermine your ability to live a healthy, happy life and may make you give up on important initiatives like recycling and sustainable living.
If you have first-hand experience of a climate-change-induced weather event, you may suffer from climate grief. Like climate anxiety, climate grief is a response that you may feel after witnessing an extreme event. Climate grief, or ecological grief, is commonly associated with depression, anxiety, anger, and deep mourning. These symptoms take the wind out of your sails and detract from your ability to advocate for the world at large.
Finding a Therapist
If you suffer from climate-change-induced depression, anxiety, or grief, you should speak to a mental health professional. A trained therapist or psychologist will take your mental state seriously and can help you navigate the choppy waters of climate anxiety.
When looking for a therapist, try to find someone who understands climate change and the anxiety it produces. Finding the right therapist for you is key, as you’ll need to develop a strong, trusting connection with your health provider. Typically, you’ll want to choose between mental health professionals like:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Psychotherapists and/or counselors
Psychiatrists hold a medical doctorate and can prescribe medication that may help alleviate your symptoms. They are highly qualified and may refer you to a psychologist or psychotherapist if they see fit.
Psychotherapy comes in many forms. They offer non-drug-based therapy and may take unique approaches to your climate anxiety. When searching for a therapist online, look for folks who offer a type of therapy that will work for you. For example, if you find joy in self-expression, you may want to connect with a licensed art or music therapist who can bring out your creative side while navigating your climate anxiety.
Cutting Your Carbon Footprint
Taking action is a great way to manage your anxiety and make a difference. As the world heats up, you can take action on a personal level by committing to a net-zero or low-carbon lifestyle.
Start with small changes to your daily life. For example, if you have an outdoor space, consider planting and cultivating some of your own fruits and vegetables. This can light up your inner environmentalist and help you reconnect with nature. It also cuts your carbon footprint, as homegrown produce doesn’t need to be transported great distances.
You can further reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing a used electric vehicle (EV). EVs use less carbon than petrol or diesel engines and are typically cheaper to run. However, they can be a tad expensive when new due to the new tech that powers them. When looking for a used EV, focus on key points like:
- Battery health
- Charging requirements
- Battery warranty
- Total mileage
Look for a vehicle that has low mileage and is still in warranty. Many EVs have a 100,000-mile 8-year warranty, meaning you may not have to foot the bill should your used car suddenly show signs of degradation.
Community Engagement
Stepping up to serve your community is deeply empowering. You can make a real difference in your local neighborhood and town and will inspire others to join the cause. This can be a particularly profound experience if you suffer from climate anxiety, as working with others can restore your faith in humanity.
If you live in a town or city, it’s highly likely that your community already has several green-oriented climate groups. Joining this group is the best path forward, as they likely have the funding and know-how to empower your vision and bring people together.
However, if your local community doesn’t have a climate group, you can take the initiative and start one yourself! Rather than going it alone, reach out to large eco-friendly organizations like Greenpeace, WWF, or the Sierra Club. These groups can help you avoid the common pitfalls of well-intentioned climate advocacy and will lend weight to your cause.
It’s easier to whip up support when focusing on local issues. So, start small with actions like community clean-ups, eco-friendly fundraisers, and group gardening. These initiatives are easy to undertake and don’t require much funding. Once you’ve grown your network to include a dozen or more folks, you can start to take on more lofty goals like lobbying local decision-makers and funding conservation efforts in your local area.
Serving your local community can ward off the woes of climate anxiety and make a real difference. Just be sure to connect with local groups in your area first, as you’ll likely find that your passion will be put to good use with the guidance of experienced activists.
Conclusion
Climate anxiety is a very real response to global warming. As we approach a climate catastrophe, more of us will start to struggle with climate-induced grief, anxiety, and depression. You can regain control and manage your anxiety by speaking to a trained mental health professional. A trained therapist can help you understand your fears and empower you to take meaningful action. This is more important now than ever before, as we all need to be on board to avert a climate crisis.
