How to Battle Eco-Anxiety
Natural disasters, extreme temperatures, and worry about the future are taking a toll on global emotional health. Here’s what you can do.
Today’s floods, wildfires, storms, heat waves, and other climate-related weather events can challenge people physically. For example, extreme heat is associated with higher rates of aggression, substance abuse, and suicide. Air pollution from wildfires is linked to impaired cognition and memory, accelerated dementia, and higher rates of strokes.
But now, the changing climate is also challenging people mentally. Many people, especially teens and young adults, are finding it difficult to cope.
“For a long time we were able to hold ourselves at a distance, listening to data and not being affected emotionally,” Lise van Susteren, MD, told NBC News. “But it’s not just a science abstraction anymore. I’m increasingly seeing people who are in despair, and even panic.“
This anguish has given rise to a new term: eco-anxiety. Also called environmental anxiety, eco-anxiety describes symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, major depression disorder, and other mental health conditions relating to a deteriorating environment.
