What is climate anxiety?

In addition to the many challenges that this world brings us, lately a lot of focus has been placed on the topic of climate change. These changes are changes in the distribution of climate factors, caused by human causes, which lead to faster warming of the Earth and more extreme weather events (droughts, floods, storms). Climate changes caused by human action ultimately have the greatest impact on their cause. In addition to the visible impacts of climate change, there are also "less visible" impacts of climate change, such as the impact on mental health. The connection between climate change and mental health is a topic that is increasingly coming to the surface, and certain studies provide an answer to the question why?

Research, including the World Vision (2023) report, shows that young people feel deep concern, sadness and a sense of powerlessness when it comes to the climate crisis.

A 2021 study published in The Lancet (an English medical journal) surveyed 10,000 people aged 16 to 25 in 10 countries on all continents about their thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis. 56% of young people agreed with the statement that humanity is doomed. 45% said their feelings about climate change affect their daily lives. About half of all surveyed girls and women hesitated to have children for this reason.

The impact of climate change on mental health is called climate anxiety. Climate anxiety manifests itself through constant concern for the future of the planet, a sense of responsibility and fear of irreversible consequences. This phenomenon can affect the daily life of young people, their emotional balance, motivation and social connection.

It is known that young people are particularly sensitive to the consequences of climate change. The threat is real and he will have to live with it for many years. In addition, young people process emotions differently, because the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed before the age of 25. It is the part of the brain that controls much of our behavior and emotions. Young adults react more emotionally to events; they cannot yet easily separate themselves from the threat and process it logically and objectively. One of the accompanying psychological symptoms can be: insomnia, panic attacks, loss of appetite, intrusive thoughts and obsessive-compulsive behavior patterns.

By recognizing and addressing climate anxiety, the Center for Psychological Support "Sensus" began implementing the "EcoMind" project in October last year, which addresses the issue of the impact of climate anxiety on the mental health of young people in BiH. We want to send a message to young people that "We are the change" and that we can talk about environmental protection, climate change and mental health together. "We are the change" is also the name of the first youth camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina that we will implement in the coming period, all with the aim of improving the mental health of young people in such a challenging period for everyone.

The EcoMind project is part of the BOOST Balkans program, which is implemented by ALDA with the financial support of AFD.