Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate advocate, recently shared her experience of battling depression at the age of 11 due to concerns about climate change. She revealed that during that period, she stopped talking and eating, leading to a weight loss of 10 kilograms in just two months.
In Canada, a mother of two from Salmon Arm, B.C., expressed how the weight of anxiety about her children’s future in a changing climate becomes overwhelming. Similarly, a student from Calgary admitted to developing food-related obsessions as a coping mechanism for her climate-related anxiety, often struggling to make food choices that she believed were best for the planet.
A new study conducted in Canada estimates that nearly a million Canadians are significantly impacted by climate anxiety, affecting their daily lives and disrupting sleep patterns. The research, published in Nature Mental Health, surveyed over 2,400 Canadians aged 13 and above, using a climate change anxiety scale to gauge respondents’ concerns and emotional responses to climate issues.
The study found that 90% of participants expressed worry about climate change, with 68% reporting varying levels of anxiety. While the majority viewed this response as a normal reaction to the devastating effects of climate change, 2.35% exhibited symptoms classified as “clinically relevant.”
Clinical Implications
The study, led by public health professor Sherilee Harper from the University of Alberta, highlighted that over 980,000 Canadians are grappling with climate change anxiety to a degree that impacts their sleep, concentration, and overall well-being in a clinically significant manner. This rate of “clinically relevant” anxiety is slightly lower than the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder in the country.
Harper emphasized the importance of providing support for individuals experiencing climate anxiety, whether through trained therapists or community initiatives like climate cafes where individuals can connect and share their concerns. While taking action on climate change has shown to alleviate anxiety, creating spaces for open discussions without pressure for immediate action is also crucial.
The study revealed that climate anxiety tends to decrease with age, being most prevalent among Generation Y and Z, and least common among Baby Boomers and older generations. Indigenous populations, women, individuals with lower household incomes, and residents of Northern Canada reported higher rates of climate anxiety.
Experts noted that individuals across Canada are affected by climate anxiety, even in regions not directly impacted by extreme weather events like wildfires or heatwaves. The urgency lies in providing adequate support systems for those struggling with climate-related distress.
There is a growing recognition of the psychological toll of climate change, prompting psychologists like Catherine Malboeuf from Bishop’s University to advocate for open discussions and destigmatization of climate anxiety. The study underscores the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to address the mental health implications of climate change.