“Soon I started having regular panic-attacks about climate change in my bed before I sleep. I fear the future, for myself and for the next generation to come. I am afraid that the governments won’t change their politics enough, I’m afraid of the social and economic crisis it will cause, I’m afraid of the humanitarian crisis it will cause, I AM SCARED THAT I WON’T LIVE PEACEFULLY”. These are the words Marianne Prt, a common youth who has Eco-anxiety.
So what is Eco-anxiety?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Eco- anxiety or Climate Change Distress or Ecological Grief, is “A chronic fear of environmental doom”. This is a newly coined term as it seized to exist prior to the year 2017. That is due to the rapid rising environmental problems that the current generation is facing which in turn is causing a lot of distress and anxiety among today’s youth. This term although given by the APA, it is not yet mentioned in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual -5 (DSM-5).
Our time on this planet is limited, if we don’t take any action now, this is what many environmental researchers are saying. According to a report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, by the year of 2040 the entire human population will witness extreme environmental catastrophe if things are not taken into control now. This is what the youth of today are scared of; the thought of having a future where temperature is extreme, wildfires are spreading, no clean water to drink, drought and most of all not even getting fresh and free air to breath.
What is happening to the environment?
Before we learn about how the changing environment plays a role in affecting our mental health we should first learn about what is happening around us. The following is a list of some of the major environmental issues that we are facing in the year 2020.
- Overpopulation – leading to many factors like deforestation, increase in industries and industrial waste, exploitation of natural resources etc
- Pollution – Air, land, water, noise.
- Natural disaster
- Intensive land use- for activities such as farming, landfills, construction, excessive mining, etc.
- Nuclear issues- Nuclear weapons, nuclear fallout, excessive amount of radioactive waste etc.
The Environment and Mental Health.
Susan Clayton, a professor of psychology and environmental studies and co-author of a 2017 report titled “Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance,” says, “We can say that a significant proportion of people are experiencing stress and worry about the potential impacts of climate change, and that the level of worry is almost certainly increasing.
Although not a clinical anxiety disorder, Eco-anxiety manifests itself in different ways. Apart from it being a chronic fear of the future, it can also worsen the mental health condition of those individuals who are already facing existing mental health issues. For example a person who has difficulty coping with anxiety, hears some news regarding deforestation or wildfires etc can experience great distress. And even if an individual experiences such environmental catastrophic events in his or her life it may lead to other disorders like depression, PTSD etc, thus taking a toll on their mental health.
The core of Eco-anxiety remains the same, however its effect on mental health may be different for people around different parts of the world. If we take a look at the western and developed countries like USA, UK etc we notice that they are daily exposed to harmful substances, they live under artificial living conditions, they are surrounded by pollution and the constant fear that things will only get worse in the future. All these factors are having a direct or indirect impact on their mental health.
For people living in island countries like Maldives, Fiji etc, eco-anxiety can take the form of existential dread, because due to global warming and the sea level rising these islands would cease to exist 10 to 20 years down the line if action against climate change is not taken now.
Eco-anxiety in India
If we take a look at our own country we will notice that it is only in the recent years that people are becoming aware about concepts such as climate change, global warming and eco-anxiety. However many people have learnt about it and are spreading awareness about it.
In recent years India has suffered a lot due to climate change. In Maharashtra every year the Farmer Suicide rates are increasing due to drought and untimely rain fall. The increased smog rate in the north in places like Delhi has caused immense stress amongst the locals. The 2019 Kerala floods brought devastation to the lands as people suffered immense losses both mental and physical.
Besides this the rivers of our country are also getting more and more polluted due to industrial waste and other waste materials that are thrown into the river. Resulting in lack of clean drinking water which is a common cause of distress in many regions within our own country.
The increasing amount of air pollution is another cause of fear among the people. Due to the increase in air pollution in our country many parents today are refraining from sending their children outside due to the increase in air pollution thus resulting in the increased hours spent indoors. Because of this many children are not getting the correct exercises they need which in turn can have a negative impact on their lifestyle, causing many physical problems such as obesity, diabetes etc which also affects one’s mental health.
Thus we can understand that climate change has affected each one of us both directly and indirectly, at the same time leaving us with a fear and uncertainty of what will happen in the future. Thus giving rise to Eco-anxiety.
How to deal with Eco-anxiety?
- Visit a mental health professional
Today in our country many counselors, mental health professionals and environmental psychologists are opening up their doors to people who are suffering from Eco-anxiety. Many support groups have come up to help gather people who face similar issues and together come up with ways to help each other and at the same time spread awareness about climate change and eco-anxiety. Thus through this one may know that they are not alone and that many others also face similar issues.
- Living a Sustainable lifestyle
When it comes to ways to deal with Eco-anxiety we must first understand what are the environmental problems around us and we must try and find ways to deal with it. It is the small steps that make the big change. One of the best measures is Sustainable living. That is living a life where you practice Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. Reduce the use of non degradable materials such as plastic bags, cups, straws etc. Reuse whenever you have the option, make the best out of waste. And recycle. We can also cut down on the use of private transport and make use of public transport instead. Thus reducing the amount of carbon in the environment.
There are many things that we as individuals can do. Some people choose to live a vegan lifestyle, some a minimalist lifestyle, some a zero waste lifestyle and much more all for the hope of a better and brighter future.
Many people around the world are now protesting against climate change and because of such actions that are taken both as individuals and as a group many things are changing for the good of our planet. By doing so we are decreasing the risk and fear and moving towards a brighter future.
To conclude I would like to say that, I know that hearing and reading about climate change can be disheartening and anxiety provoking. However it is never too late, never too late to make a small change for a big future.
Reference
- Madison, C. (2020, March 5). Growing up with Eco-anxiety. Voices of youth. URL voicesofyouth.org/blog/growing-eco-anxiety .
- Prt, M. (2019, April 10). I have Eco-anxiety. Voices of youth. URL voicesofyouth.org/blog/i-have-eco-anxiety .
- Sharma, S. (2019, November 23). HealthWise: Climate emergency fuelling Eco-anxiety, despair. Hindustan Times. URL : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/healthwise-climate-emergency-fuelling-eco-anxiety-despair/story-GU0PrETuJ9xp42MBJHNc3N.html#:~:text=Eco%2Danxiety%20is%20adding%20to,gaming%20consoles%2C%20laptops%20and%20television.
- Sarchet, P. (2019, October 21). Stressed about climate change? Eight tips for managing Eco-anxiety. NewScientist. URL : https://www.newscientist.com/article/2220561-stressed-about-climate-change-eight-tips-for-managing-eco-anxiety/
- Garcia, P .(2018, October 19). If climate change is causing you anxiety or even grief experts say that you are not alone. Vogue. URL: https://www.vogue.com/article/eco-anxiety-grief-mental-health-climate-change
- Picture taken from : freepik.com
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One Response
Proud of you my friend