How to Deal with Climate Anxiety

Climate anxiety is a very real issue that many people face and it can affect our ability to enjoy our daily lives. While it is important to stay informed on climate change and show concern for the planet, we must also look after our mental health. We outline some tips on how to deal with climate anxiety in light of the recent report on young people and their fears for the future.

What is the situation with climate anxiety in young people?

A recent survey found that nearly 60% of young people were very or extremely worried about climate change and 45% said their feelings about climate change impacted their daily lives.

65% said governments were not protecting them, the planet, or future generations and only 36% believed that governments were acting according to science. What’s more, four in ten young people fear having children due to the climate crisis.

Three-quarters agreed with the statement “the future is frightening” and more than half felt they would have fewer opportunities than their parents.

This survey involved approximately 10,000 young people aged 16-25 in Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Portugal, the UK and the US. These results come as UNICEF warned that 1 billion children are at ‘extreme risk’ from climate impacts.

It is clear that many young people are deeply anxious about the climate crisis, with good reason, and this is permeating other parts of their lives. While we must all act to stop climate change, it is also important to prioritise our mental wellbeing, which is why strategies for dealing with climate anxiety are so important.

Strategies for dealing with climate anxiety

1. Know your feelings are valid

It is easy for people to dismiss feelings and emotions but you need to know that they are real and a justifiable reaction to a deeply concerning situation, so don’t let anyone invalidate them. The best way to deal with your feelings is to acknowledge them and learn how to cope with them despite the constant fear for the planet.

2. Take action wherever you can

Taking action can be a great way to tackle feelings of anxiety as it gives you a purpose. Rather than dwelling on feelings of hopelessness, you can acquire a sense of hope as you do something to help the cause. Small, daily actions do matter, such as making changes to your diet or your consumption habits, but you can also organise with other young climate activists and campaign for change on a wider scale.

3. Connect with others

On that note, sharing feelings, thoughts and ideas with other young people who are in a similar position to you can be an excellent coping mechanism. This can further fuel your sense of purpose, as well as enabling you to feel like you are part of a community. Whether it is speaking to people at your school, university or workplace, or connecting with like-minded people online or on social media, this is an important strategy for managing climate anxiety.

4. Take time out when you need it

It can feel extremely overwhelming to be faced with constant reports of how alarming the climate situation is, and it does not always help us act in a productive manner to tackle the climate crisis when we feel deeply anxious. In fact, it can make us feel hopeless rather than hopeful. Remember that it’s okay to take time out from the news and social media when it all feels too much as this will allow you to recharge.

5. Remember you’re not alone

When you’re experiencing feelings of anxiety, it can feel very isolating and like there is no one to turn to. However, one thing this climate anxiety survey demonstrates is that so many young people are experiencing similar feelings and fears, so you can find comfort in the fact that you are not going through this alone.

Hopefully, these strategies for dealing with climate anxiety, whether they are for you or a young person you know, have been useful.

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