Summary
What is climate anxiety?
Climate anxiety describes feelings of fear, worry, sadness, anger or stress in response to climate change and the environmental threats associated with it. These feelings can be triggered by things such as flooding, wildfires, extreme weather, rising temperatures, melting ice and concerns about the future of the planet.
Climate anxiety is not considered a mental illness in itself. Feeling worried about climate change can be an understandable and proportionate response to real events and information about the environment. However, for some people, these feelings can become overwhelming and begin to affect their everyday life, relationships, education, sleep or ability to enjoy things.
Climate anxiety can particularly affect children and young people, who may feel that they will experience the consequences of climate change for much of their lives. Young people may also feel frustrated or powerless when they believe that adults, governments or organisations are not doing enough to address climate change.
A 2021 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, which surveyed young people aged 16–25 across ten countries, found that 59% reported feeling very or extremely worried about climate change, while at least 84% were at least moderately worried. Around 45% said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning. The study also found an association between greater climate anxiety and perceptions that governments were not responding adequately to climate change.
What might climate anxiety feel like?
Someone experiencing climate anxiety might:
- Feel worried, frightened or overwhelmed when thinking about climate change.
- Feel sadness or grief about changes to the natural environment.
- Feel angry or frustrated about how climate change is being addressed.
- Feel powerless or helpless, particularly when thinking about the scale of the problem.
- Worry about what the future will look like for themselves, their family or future generations.
- Feel guilty about their own environmental impact.
- Spend a lot of time reading or thinking about climate-related news.
- Feel anxious after seeing images or stories about environmental disasters.
- Experience difficulty sleeping or concentrating because of worries about the climate.
- Avoid thinking or talking about climate change because it feels too overwhelming.
- Feel conflicted between wanting to make a difference and feeling that individual actions are too small to matter.
Why can climate anxiety feel so overwhelming?
Climate change is a large and complex problem, and it can be difficult to understand how an individual can make a meaningful difference. People may also become aware of inequalities in who contributes to climate change and who experiences its consequences. This can create feelings of injustice, anger and powerlessness, particularly when individuals feel that those with the greatest ability to make large-scale changes are not doing enough.
It is important to recognise that climate anxiety can be a rational response to a genuinely concerning situation. The aim of support is not necessarily to convince someone that their concerns are unrealistic or to tell them to simply “stop worrying”. Instead, it can be about helping someone make space for these feelings, manage when they become overwhelming and find ways of staying connected to the things that matter to them.
How to help myself
Climate anxiety can feel particularly difficult because the thing you’re worried about is real, but you cannot solve it by yourself. The aim isn’t to convince yourself that climate change doesn’t matter, but to find ways to stay informed and engaged without allowing climate worries to take over your whole life.
It can help to be mindful of how much climate-related news and social media you are consuming. Constantly seeing stories about wildfires, flooding or other disasters can leave you feeling like you are permanently waiting for something bad to happen. Try choosing a few reliable sources of information and setting boundaries around when you check them. Taking a break from climate-related content doesn’t mean you don’t care.
You might also find it helpful to focus on what you can control. You cannot personally solve climate change, and the responsibility for addressing it does not sit entirely with individuals. However, taking part in something meaningful to you, such as reducing waste, getting involved in a local environmental project or joining a campaign, can help you feel less powerless. Doing this alongside other people can also help you feel connected and remind you that you aren’t facing these worries alone.
It is important to make space for other parts of your life too. Spend time with people you care about, enjoy your hobbies, get outside, listen to music, play games or do whatever helps you feel like yourself. You are allowed to have fun and enjoy the present, even when you are worried about the future. Resting, laughing and doing ordinary things are not signs that you have stopped caring.
When climate worries become overwhelming, try bringing yourself back to what is happening right now. You could use grounding techniques, take some slow breaths or remind yourself that you don’t need to solve the climate crisis today. Feelings of fear, grief and anger can be understandable responses to climate change, so you don’t necessarily need to challenge or get rid of them. Instead, the goal can be learning how to hold those feelings without letting them control your whole life.
If climate anxiety is regularly affecting your sleep, concentration, relationships, school, work or ability to enjoy everyday life, it may be helpful to speak to someone you trust or a mental health professional. Getting support doesn’t mean that your concerns aren’t valid, it means you don’t have to carry them by yourself.
How to help a loved one
If someone you care about is experiencing climate anxiety, listen to their concerns without dismissing or minimising them. Saying things like “Don’t worry about it” or “There’s nothing you can do” may leave them feeling misunderstood or more powerless. Climate change is a real issue, so it can be more helpful to acknowledge that their feelings make sense while helping them find ways to manage when those feelings become overwhelming.
Encourage them to talk about what they are worried about and how it is affecting them. They may be feeling frightened about their future, angry about the lack of action, guilty about their own environmental impact or sad about changes to the natural world. You don’t need to have all the answers or solve the climate crisis for them. Sometimes simply listening and allowing them to talk without immediately trying to fix things can be the most helpful response.
You can also support them to find a balance between staying informed and taking breaks from climate-related content. If they are constantly checking the news or social media, gently encourage them to step away and do something else. You could suggest doing something together that has nothing to do with climate change, such as watching a film, going for a walk, playing a game or working on a hobby. Remind them that taking a break doesn’t mean they have stopped caring.
If they want to take action, help them focus on things they can realistically influence. This might involve joining a local environmental group, taking part in a community project or making changes that feel meaningful to them. Doing this with other people can help reduce feelings of isolation and helplessness. At the same time, try not to put pressure on them to constantly “do more” – individual responsibility should not become another source of anxiety.
It can also help to protect space for hope, enjoyment and ordinary life. Encourage them to spend time with friends and family, get outside, sleep well and continue doing things they enjoy. They are allowed to experience happiness even when they are worried about climate change. Helping someone reconnect with the present can be particularly useful when they become caught up in frightening thoughts about the future.
If their worries are becoming overwhelming or affecting their sleep, relationships, school, work or ability to enjoy everyday life, encourage them to speak to a trusted adult, GP or mental health professional. You could offer to help them find support or go with them to an appointment if they would find that helpful.
Things you can do
There are lots of ways young people can get involved in climate action, and you don’t have to do everything. Climate change is a huge problem that cannot be solved by individual choices alone, so taking part in collective action can be a meaningful way to feel more involved and connected.
You could sign petitions, write to your MP or local councillors, join peaceful protests or climate strikes, or get involved with a youth climate organisation. You could also start or join an environmental group at school or college and campaign for changes such as reducing waste, improving recycling, using renewable energy or making school meals and transport more sustainable.
Getting involved in your local community can also make a difference. This might include tree planting, litter picking, community gardening, wildlife conservation or local environmental projects. You could volunteer with an environmental organisation or take part in youth panels and consultations where young people can have their voices heard in decisions about climate and nature.
You can also use creative and online spaces to raise awareness. Making videos, artwork, posters, music or presentations about climate change can be a way of sharing your ideas and encouraging other people to get involved. Talking to friends and family about climate change can also help turn individual worries into something people can work on together.
There are also everyday changes you can make if they feel manageable, such as walking or cycling, using public transport, reducing food waste, buying second-hand, repairing or reusing things, and looking after local wildlife and green spaces. These actions can be useful, but they shouldn’t become another source of anxiety or guilt.
Helplines
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a national charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. They provide information, advice and support for parents and carers who are concerned about a young person’s mental health, and help people understand mental health difficulties, find appropriate support and access useful resources. Their Parents Helpline can provide information, advice, emotional support and signposting to other services.
Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544 (9:30 am – 4 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9:30 am – 6 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Email: parents@youngminds.org.uk
Webchat: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity providing information, advice and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties. They cover a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, loneliness, coping with difficult experiences and managing everyday life. Mind provides information to help people understand what they are experiencing, know their rights, find appropriate support and feel less alone.
Phone: 0300 123 3393
Opening times: 9am–6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
The Mix
The Mix is a charity providing free information, advice and support for young people on all sorts of issues that can affect their lives and wellbeing. This includes mental health, relationships, money, housing, work and education, drugs and alcohol, bullying, social media, family difficulties and many other challenges. They offer information and practical advice to help young people understand what they are going through, make informed decisions and find further support when they need it.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Opening times: 11 am–11 pm, 7 days a week
Website: http://www.themix.org.uk
Crisis Messenger: Text THEMIX to 85258 – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Childline
Childline is a free service for young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline is available to anybody who is 18 years old or younger.
Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
You can also find helpful resources, speak to a counsellor online or send a message on their site.
Website: www.childline.org.uk
For adults concerned about a child, the NSPCC can be contacted
NSPCC
NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. They provide support and advice for adults about child abuse, neglect, child safety, online safety and children’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Phone: 0808 800 5000
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Email opening times: 11 am–4 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Shout
Shout is a free, confidential text messaging service that provides support to anyone who is struggling to cope. It can help with a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness, relationship difficulties, bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, feeling overwhelmed and other mental health challenges.
Text: SHOUT to 85258
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.giveusashout.org
Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth is an environmental charity providing information and support about climate change, environmental issues and climate anxiety. They campaign on issues including climate change, pollution, nature, energy and environmental justice.
Phone: 0800 581 051
Opening times: 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Website: www.friendsoftheearth.uk
Email: info@foe.co.uk
Greenpeace UK
Greenpeace UK is an environmental organisation campaigning on issues including climate change, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity, oceans and renewable energy.
Phone: 020 4525 3241
Opening times: 9 am–5:30 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: supporter.uk@greenpeace.org
Website: www.greenpeace.org.uk
Good Energy Collective
Good Energy Collective is an organisation providing information and community resources focused on climate action, environmental solutions and the role of clean energy in tackling climate change. It can be a useful resource for young people who want to learn more about climate issues and explore ways to get involved in positive environmental change.
Website: www.goodenergycollective.org
Support For Us 