As per American Psychological Association (APA), ‘eco-anxiety refers to a chronic fear of environmental doom. Some related terms are ‘climate change distress,’ ‘eco-trauma,’ and ‘eco-angst’. While concern over the earth’s changing climate is normal, the younger generations are starting to feel anxiety such that it interferes with their daily routine. Eco-anxiety is particularly common amongst the youth as they are about to inherit a world damaged by years and years of anthropogenic activity. In addition to this, with information being readily available, the youth are subjected to news of climate crisis such as landslides, floods, cyclones, and wildfires almost daily.
While chronic effects of eco-anxiety are yet to be visible, experts have documented that it affects mental health leading to feelings of fear, frustration, despair, anger, and exhaustion from feeling powerless and helpless and unable to make a difference.
Yale University published a study that reported more than 4 out of 10 Americans felt ‘helpless’ about the condition of our earth. Meanwhile, a poll conducted by the APA saw that 1 in 2 Americans were ‘somewhat’ or ‘extremely’ anxious about the various impacts climate change had on their mental health.
Eco–anxiety in India:
Various psychologists believe that eco-anxiety has gone up over the last three years. As the number of climate disasters has increased, more people feel ecologically anxious. This has also led to younger couples opting out of having children. Some people who were directly impacted by these disasters developed anxiety for any related events. For example, the dangerously poor air-quality index in Delhi-NCR has made many parents and children anxious about stepping out of the house. The Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these feelings of anxiety.
How to deal with eco-anxiety:
Psychiatrists suggest people exercise regularly as governments and large corporations take their time to move to more sustainable sources of energy in their fight against climate change. Exercising regularly would help reduce stress levels. Experts also recommend people verify news of climate crisis before spreading them on social media as a way to limit fear-mongering and panic.
Other ways to cope include:
- Identifying and accepting these feelings of anxiety
- Not being too harsh on oneself and giving back to the environment
- Getting involved in activism related to the climate may give a sense of validation
- Working on turning grief into action for a positive outcome
- Signing up for community action programs may make you more accountable
Oynessa