Almost 50% of young people are scared what the future holds as global warming threatens the planet this is known as ‘climate anxiety’.
According to the ‘Climate Psychology Alliance’ it is a “heightened emotional, and mental distress in response to dangerous changes in the climate”.
Dr Anjhula Mya Bais is a psychologist and has seen an increase in young people coming to her due to worries about the climate.
“The climate crisis has had an effect on mental health particularly for the younger generation as they feel like the future is extremely uncertain and find it very difficult to live with that thought.”
Robert Edge Partington is a climate activist and climate change communications expert who has suffered from climate anxiety. Robert says, he’s developed a toolkit to combat his climate anxiety “we spend so much time in urban environments where everything is concrete and everything is not natural. I think it’s important to take time to remove yourself from those spaces and engage with nature. I love how great it feels to be barefoot in nature and having the feeling of your feet touching the earth.”
Concerns about climate change are at a record high with a YouGov survey in 2021 saying more than 40% of the UK population say it is in their top three issues facing the country.
Dr Bais says that climate anxiety needs to be researched more “the profession has not yet taken on board the many ways in which clients might be affected by climate change and the current global crisis.”
