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What is Climate Anxiety?

Climate Anxiety is a new term encompassing fears, mental distress, and negative emotions related to the climate crisis. In this column, we will explore the meaning, impact, and coping strategies for climate anxiety.― Q. What is Climate Anxiety? ―A. Climate Anxiety refers to the phenomenon where individuals experience mental and emotional distress due to worries and fears about climate change and environmental issues.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines climate anxiety as:"Climate Anxiety refers to the distress and emotional turmoil caused by the anticipation of future environmental disasters related to climate change."Severe climate anxiety can lead to depression. An increasing number of people are experiencing anxiety after watching news about extreme weather events and climate change. Additionally, more members of the MZ generation (Millennials and Generation Z) are afraid to have children or have given up on the idea altogether due to these fears.This shows that climate anxiety extends beyond mere worry and significantly impacts individual mental health.As climate change becomes more severe, there are limited actions individuals can take, leading to feelings of helplessness and anxiety. The IPCC's 6th Assessment Report in 2023 stated that climate change will increase mental health issues, including disease, premature death, anxiety, and stress.― Increasing Climate Anxiety ―Indeed, climate anxiety is on the rise globally. This is clearly reflected in Google search trends. Between 2018 and 2023, searches related to "climate anxiety" increased by 45 times (4,590%).A data analysis by the BBC and Google in October 2023 revealed that the most searched questions included "How to overcome depression caused by climate change?" and "How to sleep without worrying about the environmental crisis?"Northern European countries have the highest search volumes for "climate anxiety," with over 40% of related searches coming from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.This surge in search volume indicates that climate anxiety is not just an internet trend but a real issue affecting many people.(Source: BBC, Google Trends)Particularly, the younger generation shows significant levels of anxiety.According to the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA), which published a study titled "Climate Anxiety in Children and Young People and their Beliefs about Government Responses to Climate Change" in the international journal The Lancet in 2021, a survey of 10,000 youth (aged 16-25) from 10 countries revealed that 59% of respondents were "extremely worried" about climate change. Did you know that so many young people experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, helplessness, powerlessness, and guilt due to climate change?Adults are similarly affected. A study by Yale University revealed that about 7% of American adults suffer from psychological distress related to climate change.― Types of Climate Anxiety ―Public Health Watch explains that climate anxiety can manifest as dysthymia, causing people to feel sadness about the state of the world, and can lead to general anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and insomnia.The WHO's 2021 Health and Climate Change Survey Report classifies mental health issues arising from climate change as follows: • Eco-Anxiety: Anxiety and stress caused by climate change, including persistent fear and worry about environmental disasters. • Eco-Guilt: Guilt felt when individuals believe they have violated environmental protection standards, stemming from the perception of having a negative impact on the environment. • Eco-Grief: Sadness over ecological losses due to climate change, including the loss of physical environments, anticipated future losses, and the collapse of environmental knowledge systems. • Eco-Paralysis: A sense of helplessness in responding to climate change issues, which can occur when there are too many or conflicting action options. • Solastalgia: The distress and despair felt when beloved places deteriorate due to environmental changes.• Eco-Nostalgia: Nostalgia and sadness when revisiting places that have been significantly altered by climate change. These classifications show that climate change can impact mental health in various ways, leading to different psychological responses.― Reducing Climate Anxiety ―To reduce climate anxiety, a multifaceted approach is necessary:∎ Education and Information Provision is EssentialTo effectively manage climate anxiety, it is crucial to provide accurate information about climate change through education. Understanding information related to climate change through education can help manage climate stress.∎ Mental Health Support is NecessarySchools and communities should establish counseling services and support programs for youth experiencing climate anxiety. Recognizing climate anxiety and finding ways to overcome it with professionals is essential. Here are some programs:Australia's "Climate Counselling" ProgramThis program provides psychological support related to climate change to young people in schools and communities. Professional counsellors help youth experiencing climate anxiety, build knowledge about climate change, and offer opportunities to participate in environmental protection activities.Iceland's "Green Healthcare" ProgramThis program addresses mental health issues caused by climate change by conducting counseling sessions in nature. Youth relieve stress and discuss their fears related to climate change in a natural setting.UK's "Youth Climate Now" ProjectThis project helps young people learn more about climate change and actively participate in environmental protection activities. Regular sessions with psychological counsellors provide opportunities to share feelings related to climate anxiety and learn coping strategies.∎ Creating Change Through ActionEncouraging youth to directly participate in environmental protection activities is also effective in reducing climate anxiety. Community activities such as environmental clean-ups, recycling campaigns, and tree planting projects provide opportunities for youth to take active measures against climate change.As the Earth continues to warm, climate anxiety is no longer just an individual issue but a problem for all humanity.Climate anxiety can lead to mental health issues, negatively impacting education, social relationships, and long-term quality of life. Therefore, education on climate change, mental health support, and proactive climate action are necessary.In particular, more active responses are required at the family, school, community, and government levels to help youth overcome anxiety caused by climate change and lead positive changes towards the future. It is time to seek a comprehensive approach and integrated solutions to this problem.If you want to learn more about the state of our planet in crisis, please refer to the following articles!↓↓↓What are Planetary Boundaries?Peace must be extended to the future. Even if we do not meet, we must ensure that our descendants lead happy lives.-Hak Ja Han Moon, Founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize-Learn MoreWhat are Planetary Boundaries?The Glaciers are Sending Us a WarningReferenceHickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., et al. Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, December (2021). Written by: Yeon Je Choi