Recent climate-related disasters across multiple regions have intensified concerns about the psychological impact of environmental change, with growing reports of what experts describe as eco-anxiety. This term refers to the fear, distress, and uncertainty people experience in response to climate change and its anticipated consequences.
Wildfires in France and Spain, flooding and typhoons in Asia, and looming heatwaves in Europe are among the events driving public unease. Psychotherapists and researchers note that unlike typical anxiety—which may be triggered by hypothetical threats—eco-anxiety is rooted in tangible, ongoing environmental crises. Mark Vahrmeyer, a psychotherapist and spokesperson for the UK Council for Psychotherapy, emphasizes that climate change is a real and fundamental shift affecting the natural systems on which societies depend, making anxiety a reasonable human response.
Surveys reflect the extent of this mental health impact. According to research by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), over half of respondents reported being affected by climate-related stress, with rates rising to nearly two-thirds among young people aged 16 to 24. Studies involving global youth populations have found that almost half experience climate anxiety severe enough to disrupt daily functioning. Even younger children show elevated concern, as highlighted by research on primary school students.
Caroline Hickman, a climate anxiety specialist, points to a dual source of distress: the visible effects of climate disasters and a widespread perception that political leaders are not adequately addressing the crisis. This "politician anxiety" compounds feelings of helplessness for many. Hickman describes how some individuals experience mild worry alleviated by reassurance, while others, often better informed, face deeper despair and powerlessness, sometimes resulting in withdrawal from routine activities.
For professionals immersed in climate issues, such as Ray Hopkinson, founder of a climate communications agency, the emotional toll can be profound. She speaks of an ongoing strain that permeates both mind and body, triggered not only by major events like wildfires and heatwaves but also by everyday environmental changes, such as the browning of grass. These experiences reflect a concept known as "solastalgia," a form of distress caused by the loss of a familiar environment despite remaining physically present.
Eco-anxiety is also influencing personal decisions, particularly among younger adults contemplating parenthood. Hopkinson acknowledges that concerns about the planet’s future sometimes lead to hesitation about having children, raising broader demographic questions. Yet she expresses hope that those committed to the future will remain engaged in building solutions.
The generational nature of this anxiety is further underscored by professionals like Georgina Sturmer, who notes that while younger individuals worry about inheriting a troubled world, older adults often fear for the futures of their children and grandchildren. Rachael Martin, a writer living near Milan, reflects this concern, describing a personal awareness of climate change’s local effects, such as retreating glaciers and recurrent heatwaves, which amplify her worries about the stability of the world her children will face.
As climate events become more frequent and visible worldwide, the psychological burden is increasingly recognized as a significant consequence, affecting people across ages and regions. Experts emphasize the importance of addressing both environmental and emotional dimensions to support communities facing these intertwined challenges.