Understanding eco-anxiety in the context of climate change
Scientists define eco-anxiety as the concern felt by many people due to the worsening climate crisis. The phenomenon intersects both scientific and sociological fields and is not yet fully understood, which is why further research remains essential.
For years, it has been recognised that climate change can trigger anxiety, stress and depression. A study also published in Science found that certain social groups are more likely to experience eco-anxiety. These groups include younger individuals, women, people who tend to be more neurotic, those with more left-leaning political views, individuals directly exposed to the concrete negative effects of global warming and those frequently receiving information and updates about climate change.
The research reviewed 94 studies on climate anxiety conducted on a sample of 170,000 people across 27 countries, aiming to understand who is affected and what consequences this emotional state may have.
What is eco-anxiety
A definition of climate anxiety appeared in research published in 2023. Scholars described it as persistent and difficult-to-control apprehension and worry about climate change. An earlier definition from 2020 referred to it as a sense of unease about global warming and its effects.
“There is an ongoing debate within the scientific community about what exactly constitutes climate anxiety,” Dr Clara Kühner, climate and psychology researcher at the University of Leipzig, told Carbon Brief. Kühner led the meta-analysis and noted that scientific interest in eco-anxiety has grown significantly in recent years. Of the 94 studies examined, 81 were published after 2020.
Who experiences eco-anxiety
The analysis highlights that people with more right-leaning political views tend to be more sceptical about the causes and consequences of climate change and less supportive of climate action. As a result, they may be less inclined to feel concern about global warming.
Those who have a strong emotional attachment to specific places and to nature often report higher levels of eco-anxiety, as they more directly perceive the effects of climate change on the natural world. Similarly, individuals who tend to think ahead and anticipate future risks are more likely to experience climate-related worry than those focused primarily on the present.
Researchers broadly agree that people who are more neurotic or emotionally unstable may be more sensitive to negative climate information and less able to regulate their emotional responses. Individuals with strong environmental values are also more likely to feel concerned.
Continuous exposure to climate news is another risk factor and may affect scientists, researchers and journalists more than other professional groups. In African contexts where communities are directly facing droughts, floods and heatwaves, eco-anxiety can be closely linked to lived experience.
Does gender matter
Several studies, including this large analysis, indicate that women are more likely than men to suffer mental health consequences following extreme weather events. Women also face greater health risks related to climate change in many contexts.
The review did not assess how being transgender or non-binary affects the likelihood of developing eco-anxiety. However, previous research suggests that transgender, non-binary and LGBTQ+ individuals may experience disproportionate impacts from climate change.
What eco-anxiety leads to
Climate anxiety is associated with psychological stress and, to a lesser extent, reduced subjective well-being, affecting overall quality of life. However, the meta-analysis led by Kühner suggests that in most cases eco-anxiety does not become clinical. It does not typically disrupt essential functions such as sleep patterns.
Severe cases are less common than what researchers describe as adaptive concern. Adaptive or physiological anxiety is a natural and necessary response that prepares individuals to face potentially challenging or risky situations.
Policy implications
Healthy eco-anxiety can serve a purpose and may even have positive effects. The study suggests that experiencing an appropriate, non-pathological level of climate anxiety can help keep the issue at the centre of public attention and may encourage stronger and more effective climate policies.
In regions such as Africa, where climate impacts are already affecting livelihoods, agriculture and infrastructure, maintaining awareness without tipping into paralysis may be crucial for collective resilience and informed action.