Do You Feel Like the Earth is Dying? You’re Not Alone

Climate anxiety, also known as ecoanxiety, affects many people. Here’s  how to manage it and take action to address climate change.

Anxiety is the most common mental health concern in the U.S., affecting more than 40 million adults, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. So, when faced with catastrophic wildfires, extreme heat, bitter cold and increasingly damaging storms of all types, it’s no wonder that people experience a specific form of anxiety related to climate change.

“The American Psychological Association defines ecoanxiety as the chronic fear of environmental doom, where concerns about climate change, biodiversity loss and the planet’s health affect one’s mental well-being,” says Saahi Uppalapati, a graduate teaching assistant for climate change communication at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

There are many definitions of ecoanxiety , which is used interchangeably with terms such as eco-angst, ecological grief, climate change anxiety, climate distress and solastalgia, Uppalapati says, but broadly ecoanxiety refers to negative emotional responses to climate change.

“ Ecoanxiety can range from mild worry to more debilitating stress, impacting sleep and potentially leading to serious anxiety or depression,” Uppalapati says. “It may also be adaptive, motivating people to take action. However, at high levels, ecoanxiety can be overwhelming, reducing engagement and seriously affecting one’s mental health.”

Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data surveys found that the majority of millennials and members of the Gen Z generation worry about climate change. The surveys found that:

• 87% are worried about climate change.
• 56% believe humanity is doomed because of climate change.
• 61% feel guilty about their negative impact on the environment, and 45% experience shame.
• 75% report feelings of sadness, anger, powerlessness, and helplessness in mitigating climate change.
• More than half feel ignored when expressing their climate anxiety.

Experts Offer Coping Strategies

In recognition of the prevalence of climate anxiety, Green Builder Media recently hosted an interactive Climate Anxiety Unmasked webinar about the topic with Kate Schapira, author of Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth and a professor of Brown University. Schapira helps people in Providence, Rhode Island cope with their feelings about climate change at her Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth.

During the event, Schapira explained that all feelings are valid, and that climate anxiety isn't limited to worry or concern but can also include emotions such as guilt, shame, anger, exhaustion, hopelessness and more.

“Ecoanxiety is quite prevalent, especially among younger generations and those most vulnerable to climate change,” Uppalapati says. “For example, according to the American Psychological Association, two-thirds of U.S. adults experience at least some ecoanxiety, while about one-quarter report experiencing ‘a lot’ of it. In our latest nationally representative survey, around 10% said they feel nervous, anxious or on edge about global warming several days per week, with 9% unable to stop worrying and 7% losing interest in activities they once enjoyed due to global warming concerns.”

Coping with ecoanxiety can involve strategies similar to managing other forms of anxiety, Uppalapati says.

“On an individual level, mindfulness practices like grounding exercises or deep breathing can help,” she says. “Spending time in nature — gardening, hiking or simply being outdoors — can also offer peace. It’s also important to balance information intake; staying informed is necessary, but setting boundaries on news consumption can prevent feeling overwhelmed.”

Talking about ecoanxiety with friends, community groups or therapists can also be beneficial.

“More people share our concerns than we tend to think, and connecting with others can help boost a sense of shared purpose,” Uppalapati says.

During the Climate Anxiety Unmasked event, participants shared a climate change impact they are currently experiencing. Wildfires, sea level rise, increased temperatures and loss of wildlife were prevalent concerns. While some participants found comfort in shared experiences and emotions, others were overwhelmed or angry that climate effects are so severe and widespread.

Besides sharing feelings with others, individual actions can relieve some of the stress of ecoanxiety.

“Focusing on actions within our control—such as reducing waste, conserving energy or choosing eco-friendly products—can contribute to a healthier planet and offer a sense of empowerment,” Uppalapati says. “Investing in energy-efficient appliances and creating green spaces that support biodiversity are therapeutic ways to connect with nature while benefiting the environment.”

The University of Colorado Boulder’s health and wellness services provided numerous suggestions to students about individual actions they can take to help them cope with climate anxiety, such as:

Feel Good Rituals. Building more sustainable habits around personal energy use, composting, recycling and consumerism

Conscious Eating. Selecting food options that have less environmental impact, such as reducing the amount of meat you consume each week or growing your own vegetables.

Slow Movement. Changing the way you commute to campus, such as walking or biking instead of using a car.

Deep Talk. Engaging family and friends in meaningful conversations about climate change.

Checkbook Activism. Donating to organizations or causes you care about. 

Zoom In on The Role of Housing

At the Climate Anxiety Unmasked event, Schapira led participants in a discussion about how the U.S. can house people, a problem exacerbated by climate change. Some of the potential solutions discussed included:

• Relaxing zoning ordinances
• Advocating for long-term rentals instead of short-term rentals
• Promoting adaptive reuse
• Retrofitting existing commercial and office spaces into affordable housing
• Prioritizing multi-generational homes

That exercise provided hope and purpose to participants that may help them manage their climate anxiety. Collective action can be one of the most effective ways to cope with ecoanxiety, Uppalapati says.

“Joining forces with others not only amplifies our voice but also helps build a sense of community and shared purpose,” she says. “Collective action—whether through joining local climate groups, supporting green policies, volunteering for environmental initiatives or advocating for change—can provide a tangible sense of making a difference. It offers a way to channel feelings of frustration, anxiety and helplessness into productive and meaningful efforts.”

In a 2020 survey by the American Psychological Association , 70% of respondents said they were willing to take action or were already taking action such as working with their community to reduce carbon emissions through initiatives such as installing bike paths, hosting farmers markets or using community solar panels. Nearly 60% said they are contacting elected officials about climate change action or are willing to do so and have joined or are willing to join an organization working on climate change action.

“By working with others toward a common goal and knowing that we are not alone in experiencing these feelings, we can foster hope and resilience and counteract the helplessness that anxiety may bring,” Uppalapati says.

Uppalapati recommends resources like the Climate Psychology Alliance , the Climate Mental Health Network or ecoanxiety-focused support groups, where people can connect with others navigating similar feelings.

“It’s important to recognize ecoanxiety as a valid response to the very real challenges our planet faces,” Uppalapati says. “Feeling anxious is normal, but if it becomes overwhelming, seek support from climate-aware mental health professionals.”

Publisher’s Note: This content is made possible by our Today’s Homeowner Campaign Sponsors: Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool Corporation takes sustainability seriously, in both their products and their operations. Learn more about building and buying homes that are more affordable and less resource intensive.