The invisible impact of climate change
By Martin Montague
Climate change is not only damaging our planet; it is also threatening our mental health.
Experts warn that it is putting us at risk of developing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The situation is dire. Since the 1980s, days with temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius have doubled and are affecting more regions globally. As temperatures rise,
the number of weather-related disasters has increased fivefold in the past 50 years.
Environmental Anxiety
Environmental anxiety is the fear of the effects of climate change, described by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as “a chronic fear of environmental destruction.”
It is particularly affecting young people. In a 2021 global survey of 10,000 young people aged 16 to 25, three-quarters said the world’s future was dire, while more than half said they thought humanity was doomed. Susan Clayton, a psychologist at the College of Wooster in Ohio and co-author of the report, highlights a genuine pessimism about the future. It’s not just scary, it’s also depressing.
This fear for the future has led couples to reconsider or abandon their plans to have children. A 2018 survey found that a third of American adults aged 20 to 45 chose to have fewer children due to climate change concerns.
Professionals working in this field are not immune. Tim Gordon, a marine biologist at the University of Exeter, says there are moments when he puts on a mask and cries, realizing how sad the state of the world is. His work has taken him from Australia’s Barrier Reef to the Arctic Ocean. “Sometimes it hits you – you float in the water, look around, and realize: ‘Wow, everything is dying.’”
Climate trauma
Climate change raises the chances of hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, leading to climate trauma for those affected. Helen Berry, an honorary professor at the University of Sydney, says that global psychological distress is rising. “Being evacuated for a long time and losing your home significantly increases the risk to your mental health,” she says.
An example of this is the 2016 wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, which forced 88,000 people from their homes. A University of Alberta study found that 18 months after the fires, one-third of children in grades 7 to 12 (ages 12 to 18) experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Susan Clayton is concerned about the long-term effects on children, as they are still developing mentally, physically and neurologically. “Evidence suggests that childhood trauma can affect a person’s ability to process intense emotions into adulthood,” she says.
South Africa faces poverty, with half of its population living in conditions that hinder their ability to adapt to climate change. Johannesburg is worried about climate trauma affecting these disadvantaged individuals. The social conditions that increase vulnerability to climate change also heighten the risk of mental illness and psychological distress.
Meanwhile, global warming in the Philippines Typhoons are becoming more frequent, intense and unpredictable. “It’s really scary to predict our future,” admits Esperanza Cayanan of the Philippines’ National Weather Service. The country was hit by its 21st typhoon of the year in November 2020. “It makes me feel depressed and life doesn’t seem worth living,” says Mitzi Jonel Tan, who was in the Philippines at the time. She states, “We need to discuss climate trauma to make people aware that the climate crisis is already here and must be addressed now.”
The good news is that some steps are being taken to address this situation. An example of climate-related trauma is in Canada, where the Canadian Mental Health Association supports victims of the Fort McMurray fire. Schools now have more counselors and use heart monitors to alert students about stress or anxiety, allowing them time for breathing exercises. Looking to alleviate their environmental anxiety? Initiatives like ‘Power of Nature’ address environmental anxiety by highlighting the connection between mental health and the climate crisis. Clover Hogan founded the group in 2021 at 19, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience for fostering personal initiative. Plans for a garden in Cape Town aim to boost mental well-being and mitigate the effects of extreme heat waves. The action plan addresses climate change through zero-emission zones, car-free areas, shaded spaces, and accessible cooling centers throughout the city.
Adopting good environmental practices and encouraging others can help us overcome our feelings of helplessness. Duncan Geer urges you to think about climate change when making choices about food, travel, and purchases, based on a paper he co-wrote offering practical ways to address global warming. Wayne Gaffney, co-author of the report, says, “We don’t need to convince everyone; convincing just 25% can bring an idea into the mainstream.”
Duncan concludes that we should urge politicians and companies to make eco-friendly choices easier and more affordable.
Climate change affects different regions in different ways. The regions most affected are low-income countries that are least responsible and least able to spend. The IMF has recognized that it will not be able to cope—or adapt—without help from the international community.
Hope for the future?
To limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, carbon emissions need to be cut by 50% by 2030. But according to the United Nations, they are actually expected to increase by 16%. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes that if we coordinate our efforts now, we can avoid a climate catastrophe. “But,” he warns, “there is no time for delay and no room for excuses.”
“We have the power to protect what remains and make meaningful changes,” says marine biologist Tim Gordon. “And that is why we do this. That is why we move forward.”
(Edited)
Courtesy: BBC Earth
