Climate disasters are currently on pace to reach record-breaking costs. Glaciers and coral reefs shrink at a devastating rate. In every direction, the surrounding environment appears in disarray. In recent years, many individuals have experienced a unique form of anxiety related to climate change and environmental degradation. A survey of 10,000 youths across 10 countries found that over half of respondents were very or extremely worried about climate change, and most said they were at least “moderately worried.” Google searches for “climate anxiety” increased by 565% in 2021, and a nationally representative study by Yale’s 2022 Climate Change Communication program found that a quarter of Americans felt on edge, nervous, or anxious about global warming at least several days per week. Half of this group reported that they were “unable to stop or control” their worry.
The American Psychological Association defined ecoanxiety in 2010 as “a chronic fear of environmental doom” that ranges from mild stress to clinical disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide. Individuals experience heightened anxiety as a result of acute awareness of climate change and its existential threats—and a belief that the world one will inherit is already beyond saving.
Acknowledging America’s current struggle with ecoanxiety is necessary to understanding and participating in social movements that advocate for protective environmental policies. Individuals at protests may advocate for political policies based on their political ideology and beliefs, but this is very different from the group that fears that, without immediate and special action, the world will end. Defining ecoanxiety within the realm of mental health suggests that “solving climate change” may not solve the issue, as this anxiety causes a distorted perception of reality. Thus, discussions regarding climate change must be structured to avoid fearmongering.
The solution is not to sugarcoat the issue. Climate change demands immediate, serious action, and it is essential to continue holding our own governments accountable for enforcing positive change. However, many governments,including the United States,have taken successful steps toward lowering humanity’s ecological footprint and reversing the effects of climate change. This year is the first time wind and solar farms have generated more electricity than coal plants globally. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis reported that Texas broke several records for solar and battery storage in 2025. Expedition 501, a mission to drill off the coast of Cape Cod, has revealed a hidden aquifer stretching from New Jersey to Maine that may help satisfy the globe’s demand for fresh water. Last year was the second year in a row that heat pump shipments outpaced those of gas furnaces nationwide, and 54% of Maryland households are expected to adopt heat pumps by 2030. The state continues to pass legislation that supports Maryland’s energy efficiency program Empower.
But those who view climate change as a near-term threat may require more than statistics to soothe the fear of imminent ecological destruction. Between the number of Americans who own cars to escape danger, developed evacuation plans in case of emergency and access to non-perishable foods for the long-term, Americans are currently more equipped than ever to handle climate disasters. While these facts may seem less significant in the climate change discussion than the previous data, they speak directly to the fears of those who suffer from serious climate anxiety. While the world continues working on the long term issue, it is equally important to feel that one is safe right now.
Recognizing the difference between acting out of political passion and fear is important in an era that prioritizes speech and advocacy. Engaging in productive political conversations requires an individual to understand and effectively communicate their own perspective and beliefs, which can be difficult in conversations that run highly emotionally. Topics much more controversial than climate change may suffer from this issue: debating doesn’t feel like a pragmatic discussion; it is life or death. Recognizing when fear plays a role in our understanding of an issue may not just allow us to change our minds or think flexibly, but also to gain a better grasp of what we fight for.
There is much progress to be made in the fight for climate justice. It often feels that every step forward the world takes, it also takes one step back. Converting to renewable energy, building green infrastructure and repairing the damage already sustained to our environment are massive efforts that will take years to resolve—if they can be resolved completely. However, it is a disservice to this fight to ignore everything that goes right in favor of what goes wrong, and focusing only on one’s losses distorts one’s perception of the world. The most important step one can take in promoting a better future for Earth is believing that that future is possible.
