Eco-Anxiety: How Climate Change is Affecting Our Mental Well-being

Imagine waking up, checking your phone, and scrolling through headlines about record-breaking heat waves sweeping across Delhi, wildfires raging through Uttarakhand, and devastating floods submerging parts of Assam. But the worst is yet to happen—you step outside, and the air is thick with smog, making it hard to breathe. You hurry back indoors, only to realize that the emergency supplies you planned to stock up on are nowhere to be found. As the world outside seems to crumble, you’re left with a sinking feeling of helplessness. That surge of anxiety? It’s hard not to feel it, isn’t it?

This scenario might be imagined, but the fear of it becoming reality is very real. In India, with alarming changes in weather patterns, rising pollution levels, and unpredictable monsoons, climate change feels closer to home than ever.

Climate change isn’t just reshaping our physical world — it’s also taking a toll on our mental health. This growing phenomenon is called eco-anxiety, and more people, especially younger generations, are grappling with it.

What is Eco-Anxiety?

Eco-anxiety refers to the chronic fear or worry about the future of our planet due to climate change and environmental destruction. Unlike traditional forms of anxiety, eco-anxiety stems from concerns that are global and systemic, often feeling overwhelming and beyond individual control.

While much of the research on eco-anxiety comes from the West, recent data shows that it’s a growing issue in India too. A 2023 report by Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and CVoter highlights that nearly 91% of Indian youth feel anxious about global warming and its resultant climate change, and 59% of people are ‘very worried’ about global warming.

The Emotional Toll of Climate Change

While climate change has long been framed as an environmental or political issue, it’s increasingly being recognized as a public health crisis — and that includes mental health.

Eco-anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways, including

1. Chronic stress or worry: 

Constantly thinking about environmental destruction, extreme weather events, and the future of the planet can cause a persistent sense of dread. The constant news of cities like Delhi grappling with hazardous air quality levels every year or hearing about water scarcity in places like Bangalore in 2024 can create persistent stress.

2. Feelings of hopelessness: 

The scale of the problem can make people feel powerless, leading to a sense of despair or helplessness. The recent heatwave across the country with incidents of AC blasts due to extreme heat clearly shows the despair that people in India experience when it comes to climate change.   

3. Guilt or shame: 

Many individuals feel personally responsible for their environmental footprint, which can exacerbate feelings of guilt, especially when they feel they aren’t doing enough.

4. Anger or frustration:

A common response is frustration with political leaders or corporations for not taking sufficient action, leading to feelings of anger. Recently, news channels were filled with stories of unauthorized construction on unstable slopes and floodplains, and the removal of green cover in the Himalayan region. According to a report from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the 2023 Himachal Pradesh floods, these activities have increased the risk of multiple natural disasters in the Himalayan valley due to inaction by the government. 

5. Insomnia or difficulty concentrating: 

Some people report having trouble sleeping or focusing on daily tasks because of their constant preoccupation with the climate crisis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes climate change as a significant threat to mental health and well-being. In a 2021 report, WHO stressed that mental health impacts, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, are increasingly linked to environmental challenges.

Why Are We Feeling This Way?

There are a few key reasons why climate change provokes such a profound emotional response:

1. Uncertainty about the future: 

Unlike other forms of anxiety that might be triggered by specific, immediate events, eco-anxiety is often rooted in an uncertain and long-term future. People don’t know exactly what will happen, but they know the risks are high. With monsoon patterns becoming unpredictable, millions of farmers across India are anxious about their crops and livelihoods.

2. Loss of control: 

When it comes to climate change, individual actions can feel small in comparison to the larger global forces at play. This lack of control can amplify feelings of powerlessness and anxiety. While individual actions matter, many feel disheartened when extreme weather events — like the deadly heat waves of 2024 — occur, despite the personal efforts they’ve made.

3. Visibility of the crisis: 

From the smog-filled skies of Delhi to the annual floods in Kerala and Bihar, climate change impacts are hard to ignore. Media coverage of these events, though necessary, can also heighten feelings of anxiety.

4. Impact on livelihoods and communities: 

For many people, particularly in vulnerable areas, climate change isn’t just an abstract concept — it’s a lived reality. People whose lives and livelihoods are directly affected by environmental changes often experience higher levels of stress, grief, and anxiety. The trend of reverse migration from big cities to smaller cities or villages hints at the crumbling infrastructure and climate challenges that people have to face. 

The Most Affected Groups

While anyone can experience eco-anxiety, certain groups are more vulnerable:

1. Youth and children:

Younger generations are particularly affected because they’ll inherit the planet in its future state. According to a 2021 study published in The Lancet, 75% of young people globally felt that “the future is frightening” because of climate change, and nearly half said their feelings about the climate negatively impacted their daily lives.

2. Indigenous and frontline communities: 

People living in coastal areas, agricultural zones, or flood-prone regions are already feeling the direct impacts of climate change. For example, the frequent floods in Bihar or the saltwater intrusion in the Sundarbans are causing immense stress and anxiety in these communities.

3. Environmental activists: 

People deeply involved in environmental advocacy often feel the emotional burden of the climate crisis acutely. This phenomenon, known as “activist burnout,” can result in feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness, and disillusionment.

Coping with Eco-Anxiety

While the impacts of eco-anxiety can be overwhelming, there are ways to manage it. Here are some strategies to help ease the emotional toll of climate change:

1. Take meaningful action: 

One of the most effective ways to combat feelings of powerlessness is to take tangible steps toward making a difference. Whether it’s reducing your personal carbon footprint by incorporating a sustainable lifestyle, advocating for policy change with petitions, or volunteering with environmental organizations in your locality, small actions can have a big psychological impact.

2. Build a support network: 

Talking to others who share your concerns can help you feel less alone. Join environmental groups, attend community events, or simply have open conversations with friends and family about your feelings.

3. Focus on solutions, not just problems: 

Instead of constantly dwelling on the damage being done, focus on the positive steps being taken to address climate change. There’s growing momentum in renewable energy, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices worldwide. Celebrating these wins can help balance out the negative news.

4. Practice mindfulness and self-care: 

Taking care of your mental health is crucial. Activities like meditation, exercise, and spending time in nature can help reduce anxiety and foster a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

5. Seek professional help: 

If eco-anxiety becomes overwhelming or starts to interfere with your daily life, it’s important to reach out for professional support. Therapists, particularly those familiar with environmental issues, can provide coping mechanisms and tools to navigate these feelings.

The Path Forward

Eco-anxiety is a natural response to the climate crisis, but it’s essential to remember that we are not powerless. By acknowledging our feelings, taking collective action, and building supportive communities, we can cope with eco-anxiety and work towards creating a sustainable future.

India may be at the frontline of new climate challenges that are plaguing everyone globally, but with proactive steps, there’s hope for resilience and change.