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Climate Anxiety and Guilt

The Great Big Green Week runs from 24th September – 2nd October 2022 and is a celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. However, discussions of climate change can lead people to experience climate anxiety and guilt.

What is climate anxiety?

“Climate anxiety” is a term used to describe the feelings a person can experience when faced with the extent of the climate and ecological crisis. For example feelings of fear, worry, helplessness, grief and rage. These feelings are understandable and justified but what can we do about them?

Tips for dealing with climate anxiety

  • Process your feelings and voice them out loud or even write them down. We become less overwhelmed by our emotions when we put them into words.
  • Connect and share your feelings with others. When people don’t talk about anxiety this can lead to further issues.
  • Take a time out from the news and social media.
  • Focus on the good news stories and solutions. It isn’t always doom and gloom!
  • Spend time in nature and connect to the places that you care about.
  • Take action! This could be writing to your MP to express your concerns, volunteering for an environmental charity or even taking a simple climate pledge such as buying more “pre-loved” clothes.
Spending time in nature

What is climate guilt?

Climate or eco guilt is the feeling that you should be doing more to help tackle climate change or the feeling of guilt for the choices you make, that might be harmful to the environment e.g. having to drive to work. Again, these feelings are understandable and there are ways in which you can deal with them.

Tips for dealing with climate guilt

  • Recognise what you are doing do to help the planet. There are probably already ways you are doing your part.
  • Understand that it might not always be possible to make the “greener choice” and this isn’t your fault.
  • Remember you are NOT individually responsible for climate change. Whilst individual action can make a big difference, a few large corporations are the ones doing the most harm to the planet.

Additional advice and support

If you’re experience climate anxiety or guilt then you can find additional advice and support through the organisations below.

MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk 

Climate Psychology Alliance https://www.climatepsychologyalliance.org/therapy/388-findsupport

NHS 111 – Call 111 to discuss any new symptoms you’re experiencing

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