Ecological Anxiety: What Is It And Why Does It Occur?

Unless you’ve spent the last five years of your life hiding in a cave, you certainly know who Greta Thunberg is. If you don’t know who she is, she’s a 17-year-old environmental activist incredibly passionate about saving the planet from global warming. As we listen to her speech and observe everything she does, we wonder if she might be suffering from ecological anxiety. It would be possible?

The truth is, we don’t have an answer. And the reason for this is that, scientifically, there  is no  psychological condition called ecological anxiety. However, in 2019, a group of experts from the  Climate Psychology Alliance coined this term to refer to a phenomenon that, far from being a pathology, can be considered a real and rational concern.

What is ecological anxiety?

Simply put, ecological anxiety is a concern for the natural environment. This includes the destruction of habitats, global warming, pollution and all ecological problems and disasters caused or reinforced by the actions of human beings and their productive activities on the planet.

People who experience these worries are anxious to think about their own mortality, as well as that of their loved ones. In addition, thinking about the future of the world creates a deep sense of unease in them.

However, this cannot be confused with a clinical anxiety disorder. As mentioned above, this is not considered a pathology nor does it present a specific clinical picture.

Despite this, the American Psychological Association defined this term in 2017. According to it, this chronic fear of environmental fatality can worsen existing mental health problems or trigger previously non-existent problems.

This North American association states that, in 2019, due to the impact caused by the numerous natural disasters associated with the climate, there was a general increase in ecological anxiety.

climate and mental health

The climate has a direct impact on the mind of every human being. Some are affected by what is currently happening, others by what is to come, such as knowing that an island could go completely underwater in a few years due to global warming.

However, both scenarios can cause various sensations, such as anger, shock or terror, and all these emotions, more or less intense, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Furthermore,  the consequences of climate change influence economic and social activity, as they can affect industries such as agriculture, livestock, and various infrastructures. Everyone will be affected by the intense increase in natural phenomena, such as storms or heat, which can cause feelings of fatalism, impotence and mental disorders of various kinds.

The scientific journal  Global Enviromental Change published a study linking depression and anxiety to the environment. Even when it comes to ecological anxiety, the most affected individuals are women and people with low income. However, there are still no clear data in this regard.

What do we know about those affected?

There are currently certain types of anxiety based on what we might call unfounded or disproportionate fear (as compared to the magnitude or likelihood of the threat). However, f Alando from an ecological point of view, it is a real problem.

Thus, this feeling of insecurity becomes a natural response due to the restlessness it provokes. Furthermore, according to the data that support the existence of the problem, these factors are especially visible in women. This is because they tend to be more concerned about pollution, global warming and climate change. In fact, many consider that it can even affect their fertility.

Ecological anxiety also strongly affects young people, who demonstrate a greater connection with the environment and a great concern for the future, as well as middle-aged parents, who suffer from the impact this can have on their children’s development.

Is there a solution to ecological anxiety?

Fortunately, there is still time to alleviate this kind of anxiety which, if this continues, can become a serious problem for many human beings. Basically, the best solution would be to change social and economic behaviors, avoid compulsive consumption and trade, and start implementing greener forms of energy.

Furthermore, it is also necessary to develop resilience, which can be accompanied by balanced and environmentally friendly policies, so that they have a positive effect on the human psyche.

Adopting healthy habits, such as using your car less or spending more time in nature, can also help to improve your ecological anxiety.