Eco-anxiety, the syndrome of those who care about the planet

Translated by Andrea Solazzo

Nowadays eco-anxiety is a much-discussed topic, but what exactly is it?

Many young people are concerned about our planet, so much so that whenever there is talk of climate change, global warming and the environment they become anxious, feeling overwhelmed by emotions, as if stuck in a world whose future seems to be getting inexorably worse. The most nature-conscious young people cannot help but think about the fact that we inhabit a planet that is increasingly fragile and affected by extreme events that destroy everything: houses and fields, productive activities and meeting places. Added to this is the awareness that there is not much time left to act.

When psychologists and psychiatrists realised that more and more people were being affected by eco-anxiety in some way, they began to take an interest in this phenomenon and, as a result, an increasingly dense debate was created around the topic. Psychologists tell us that "eco-anxiety, or climate anxiety, represents a growing concern in contemporary society, linked to serious environmental threats and climate change. This anxiety can affect the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals of all ages, especially those who are sensitive to environmental issues”.

It has been found that the effects of climate change can negatively affect people's mental health, causing anxiety, stress and depression. In particular, the consequences of natural disasters can have a long-term impact on the psyche of those who are directly affected or only suffer media exposure.

These reactions are also useful, as they may stimulate the adoption of more virtuous behaviour towards the environment, provided, however, that they do not become excessive. If this is the case and environmental concerns come to interfere with daily life, then we can speak of real anxiety: a disorder that must be managed appropriately.

Those most affected by eco-anxiety are the younger generations: more sensitive to environmental issues and generally better educated to respect the planet and nature. We have taught boys and girls not to pollute, to respect nature in all its forms and, as a result, they are now the ones who can teach previous generations how to preserve the health of the planet by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Christina Popescu, a social psychologist at the University of Quebec in Montréal, is conducting the first doctoral research precisely on eco-anxiety: “the aim is to develop a measurement scale for its scientific evaluation, since discriminating criteria to identify who suffers from it have not yet been established'. In the meantime, in order to stimulate a debate on this malaise and to feel less alone, Climate cafés have been set up in Northern Europe, meetings where everyone can freely express their discomfort, without discrimination or judgement. The first antidote against eco-anxiety, in fact, is precisely the possibility of talking about it and sharing one's own experience.

Eco-anxiety sometimes prompts many people to inform themselves, read books and watch films and videos on the subject, which may result in their choosing to take the path of activism and concrete commitment to the planet, or to adopt a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Again, it is the youngest who embrace activism and protest against climate change as the main route. Although they are driven by a sincere desire to defend the planet and nature, there is often the risk of going to extremes that have little or nothing to do with ecology.

“Fear and helplessness in the face of natural catastrophes, panic and insecurity in the face of the mismanagement of the planet”. This is the definition psychologists give to environmental catastrophe anxiety, according to which it is precisely the sense of helplessness that makes those subjected to it more depressed and frustrated. According to experts, it also affects younger people because they demand a change towards a more responsible management of the earth's resources, but still lack decision-making power.

Seeing the planet suffer because of bad decisions and perceiving one's own powerlessness in the face of the state of things, in fact, spurs activism and protest with the hope that a change will come. Eco-anxiety, however, can also "take the form of anxious passivity, in which the person feels anxious but unable to cope with the problem of climate change, and can take the form of an anxiety disorder triggered or exacerbated by climate stressors. Excessive anxiety can be severe and debilitating and deserves clinical attention”.

In conclusion, eco-anxiety can be useful when it prompts virtuous behaviour that can be taken as an example by all those who care about the planet. At the same time, if eco-anxiety starts to cause more discomfort, a simple gesture like talking about it with people who are in the same condition can be a first step towards feeling less alone.

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