As climate change worsens, it’s easy to feel overcome with feelings of anxiety and worry. You're not alone. Here are five tips to keep climate anxiety at bay from Sustainability Communications Intern and first year UVA Student Duha Aykan.
What is Climate Anxiety?
Climate anxiety is characterized by feelings of heightened distress in response to climate change and its impacts. Although it may manifest itself in different ways, more and more people report feelings of sadness, helplessness, despair, guilt, and anger. Climate anxiety can leave people paralyzed and powerless, leading to a lack of climate action and even more distress.
Hoos Feeling Anxious?
If you’re struggling with climate anxiety, you're not alone. A recent study revealed that 59% of surveyed young adults are extremely worried about climate change, and more than 45% say that it negatively affects their daily life. 75% said that they think the future is frightening.
At UVA, students are also impacted.
Second-year student Lily Bass says that she feels sad and anxious when she reflects on climate change, especially when she steps outside in the middle of December and it’s warm on Christmas day, when in the past it would be snowing.
Similarly, third-year Garrett Moreau believes that “something needs to change.” When asked about his ideas about the future, he shared that he is studying environmental science because he wants to “make some sort of difference.” He jokingly added that with the way things are going, he’s not worried about his future job prospects within the environmental field, knowing that demand for environmental solutions to address climate change will only continue to grow.
Fourth-year Chloe Kienzle reveals that it’s distressing to think about climate change on a large scale, citing fires this summer as an example. She tries to channel the worry into positive action, like pursuing jobs and volunteer opportunities in sustainability. When asked about her view of the future, she hesitated. “It’s telling that I’m not sure about having kids - thinking about climate gives me pause. I’d love to die of old age and not climate disaster.”
UVA English Professor Stephen Cushman has also noticed a shift in the general student body as well, saying that climate anxiety has “absolutely increased” since he began teaching environmentally-focused courses since 2012. He notes that by 2015, students were increasingly talking about the environment in the context of climate change. When asked how he sees climate anxiety impacting students, he reflects that “just like any other kind of anxiety, it has the potential to disable you, and then what? I worry for the youth … there’s still a lot of living to do, and giving up is not going to help the planet.” He closes with the fact that “the end isn't coming, change is coming.”
Self Care Tips
Although it may feel like there’s so much to do in regards to the climate crisis, self care is essential to prevent burnout. Here are a couple tips to help you soothe your climate anxiety and make a positive difference:
Limit online media consumption
When we constantly check our phones for the latest climate catastrophe, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless to things beyond our control. To combat these feelings, dedicate time each day or week to check climate news, and then power off. Make sure the content in your feed is hopeful and involves climate solutions. Otherwise, focus your attention on your hobbies, community, and the things that bring you peace.
Get Involved
A key characteristic of climate anxiety is the feeling of helplessness and overwhelm at the size of the issues. Don't be discouraged! There are plenty of sustainability-related efforts and organizations within the broader community, and UVA has many volunteer and job opportunities, like Green Games or being an Office for Sustainability student employee. Seeing and participating in positive climate action within your community can help bring relief and re-instill hope for the future.
Spend time with friends, family, and community
It’s so important to spend time with those you love, especially when you’re struggling. Know that your climate anxiety is valid and it’s not something you have to go through alone. Talking to family, friends, or others struggling with feelings similar to yours can help you vocalize your concerns and effectively cope.
Get in nature
Being in and reconnecting with nature has many benefits, like increased attention, positive emotions, and stress reduction, among other things. There are so many beautiful areas to explore, like these popular hikes, Shenandoah National Park, O’Hill Trails, and the many gardens on Grounds - the possibilities are endless!
More Resources
There are so many resources out there about climate anxiety and coping. An exciting one to look out for is the event and student resource fair “From Fear to Action: Thriving in a Changing Climate featuring Britt Wray” on February 22 here at UVA. Dr. Wray wrote “Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety" and will discuss ways to navigate climate anxiety and thrive in today's world.
Resource Fair Participants and Resources
Duha Aykan is a 1st-year student at UVA studying Economics and Environmental Thought & Practice with a minor in Data Science. Duha is working as a Sustainability Communications Intern at the UVA Office for Sustainability, and she is passionate about public policy, environmental justice, and local sustainability initiatives.