It’s official: the Earth has a bigger following than the Kardashians, and for all the wrong reasons. Climate change headlines dominate our feeds, and while the glaciers melt, so does our collective sense of calm. Enter eco-anxiety, that gnawing worry about the state of the planet that just won’t quit. And sure, we might joke about it while sipping our oat milk lattes, but for many, the fear is all too real. With the fate of the Earth hanging in the balance, people are losing more than just sleep—they’re losing hope. But hey, let’s not spiral into full panic mode just yet. We’ve got ways to navigate this emotional storm and find our footing, even if the planet’s seems a little shaky.

You might have heard about anxiety from various sources: work stress, social obligations, and trying to figure out if anyone still knows how to parallel park. But there’s a new kind of anxiety in town, and it’s directly linked to something we can’t escape: the environment. Enter eco-anxiety. Yes, folks, it’s 2024, and now our planet’s impending doom is affecting our mental health, too!

What Exactly Is Eco-Anxiety?

Eco-anxiety is the chronic fear of environmental catastrophe. It’s waking up at 3 a.m. in a cold sweat, not because you forgot to respond to a text, but because you just remembered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is three times the size of France. It’s that gnawing feeling when you see a rainforest on fire or a polar bear struggling on a melting ice floe. While these fears aren’t irrational (news flash: the planet really is in trouble), the emotional toll they take can become paralysing.

Eco-anxiety isn’t yet an official diagnosis (though, at the rate things are going, it might get its own Netflix documentary soon). But it’s real, and it’s affecting more people than you’d think, especially young adults. According to studies, nearly 60% of 16-25-year-olds report feeling very or extremely worried about climate change. And you know what? It’s pretty hard to work on that group project or plan a vacation when you’re mentally preoccupied with, well, Earth’s survival.

The Ripple Effect on Mental Health

What’s fascinating—and a little concerning—is that eco-anxiety can manifest in ways you wouldn’t expect. It doesn’t just look like fear. Sometimes it’s anger, sometimes it’s grief, and sometimes it’s a weird cocktail of all the emotions you’d feel if you watched a slow-motion video of your phone falling into a lake. Chronic eco-anxiety can lead to feelings of helplessness, burnout, and even depression. It’s easy to spiral from “I should probably recycle more” to “What’s the point of anything if the oceans are dying?”

This anxiety can make daily life feel like a series of eco-guilt minefields. Didn’t bring your reusable bag? Cue the guilt. Flew to visit your parents for the holidays? Might as well have fueled the plane yourself. Forget to turn off the lights? Prepare for a night of shame-filled insomnia.

The Elephant in the (Burning) Room: Why Eco-Anxiety Is Often Shrugged Off

Here’s the thing about eco-anxiety: it’s often treated like the punchline of a joke rather than a legitimate mental health concern. People love to roll their eyes when you say you’re worried about climate change. You know the type: the ones who casually drop phrases like, “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” or “Well, what can you do?” There’s a societal tendency to laugh off eco-anxiety as just another thing “those over-sensitive millennials” are fretting about. After all, we’ve got bigger problems, right? Like how many streaming services we’re paying for or the rising price of oat milk.

But here’s the harsh truth: it’s not trivial, and it’s not something that should be brushed aside with a chuckle. For many, eco-anxiety runs deep. It’s not just an occasional worry about whether you remembered to bring your reusable shopping bags. It’s a deep-seated concern that the world as we know it is on an unsustainable path. It’s big-picture thinking—like existential crisis level.

For some, it’s even causing them to rethink some of life’s most fundamental decisions. We’re talking “Should I have kids?” territory. That’s no small thought. A growing number of people, especially younger generations, are seriously questioning whether it’s ethical to bring children into a world facing extreme climate challenges. When the future looks so uncertain—rising sea levels, extreme weather events, the possibility of resource shortages—it’s understandable that potential parents might pause to consider the world their children will inherit.

This isn’t just a quirky, niche concern, either. A 2021 study found that 36% of young people across ten countries were hesitant about having children because of the climate crisis. That’s not just an “aww, the planet is sad” vibe; it’s a full-blown, long-term, life-altering decision. When eco-anxiety reaches the point where people are reconsidering something as fundamental as family planning, it’s clear that this isn’t something we should laugh off or ignore.

Why Society Shrugs It Off

Part of the reason eco-anxiety is downplayed is because, well, the reality of climate change is hard to face. It’s uncomfortable to confront the idea that our modern way of life is damaging the planet. Denial or indifference often becomes a coping mechanism. It’s easier to mock the messenger than to deal with the message. And so, instead of addressing eco-anxiety head-on, people brush it under the rug—sometimes with a nervous laugh or a dismissive comment—because acknowledging it means accepting that things need to change.

But that doesn’t make eco-anxiety any less valid. Just because society isn’t quite sure how to handle it yet doesn’t mean the problem isn’t real. In fact, it’s time we start treating eco-anxiety for what it is: a serious mental health concern that reflects a deep awareness of the fragility of our environment and the future of the planet.

So if you’re feeling this way, know that you’re not alone. And no, you’re not “overreacting.” The planet really is in a tough spot, and being anxious about it isn’t irrational—it’s a sign that you’re paying attention. The trick is to channel that anxiety into action, community, and a sense of hope (as hard as that might be), rather than letting it consume you entirely.

Are We Doomed? (Spoiler: Not Entirely)

Eco-anxiety is fueled by the overwhelming belief that we’re powerless in the face of climate change, but that’s the anxiety talking—not reality. While we do face significant environmental challenges, it’s crucial to remember that individual and collective actions have a real impact, and they can change the tide (literally and metaphorically) when it comes to our planet’s future.

First off, humans are no strangers to crises, environmental or otherwise. We’ve pulled ourselves out of holes before, thanks to innovation, perseverance, and a good amount of stubbornness. Whether it was healing the ozone layer by banning harmful chemicals (remember CFCs?), or curbing acid rain through international cooperation, history is full of examples where seemingly impossible environmental issues were addressed when we took concerted action.

Eco-anxiety often magnifies the idea that because we can’t individually solve climate change, our actions are futile. It’s like looking at the ocean and saying, “What difference can a cup of water make?” But collective action is powerful. When many people take consistent small steps, they add up—fast. Think about recycling, renewable energy, and shifts in consumer behaviour. Over time, these actions build momentum and influence markets, policies, and mindsets.

Also, technology (fingers crossed) is more or less on our side. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar have gotten cheaper and more efficient, electric cars are no longer the oddballs of the automotive world, and innovations like carbon capture and plant-based alternatives to meat are scaling up at an impressive rate. We have more tools now than we’ve ever had to address the climate crisis—and they’re improving all the time. While that doesn’t mean we can sit back and let technology fix everything, it shows that solutions are within reach. We’re not just staring into the abyss; we’re building bridges over it.

So, while the climate crisis is undeniably massive, saying “nothing we do matters” ignores the fact that meaningful change has happened and is happening. Whether it’s pushing for systemic change, supporting sustainable businesses, or simply shifting personal habits, every little action contributes to a larger movement. The key is to recognize that, while no one person can solve it all, no action is too small to count.

We may not have a magic button to reverse the damage we’ve done to the environment, but we’re not powerless bystanders either. We have agency. It’s the small ripples—those everyday actions that might feel insignificant on their own—that together form waves big enough to steer us toward a more sustainable future. So, no, we’re not doomed. Not entirely. We’re just in the middle of a monumental shift, and we all have a part to play in where it takes us.

5 Easy Ways to Combat Eco-Anxiety

While the climate crisis is a significant problem, eco-anxiety thrives on the belief that nothing we do matters. And that’s simply not true. As overwhelming as the situation may seem, we have more control than we think. Small, consistent actions can create ripple effects—and I’m not just talking about the ones caused by melting glaciers.

Let’s get practical. If you’re tired of feeling like the world’s end is nigh every time you read the news, here are five ways to calm your eco-anxiety (and maybe help the planet while you’re at it):

1. Unplug from Doomscrolling
   Sure, it’s good to be informed. But there’s a difference between staying updated and letting the horrors of the 24-hour news cycle consume your soul. Limit your time on social media and news sites. The planet was in trouble before you found out about it; it’ll still be there after you’ve taken a break.
2. Take Small, Consistent Actions
   It’s tempting to think that if you’re not leading a climate rally or inventing an ocean-cleaning robot, you’re not helping. But every bit counts. Start small: switch to a reusable water bottle, bike to work, or go meatless one day a week. These actions may seem tiny, but they’re like the avocado toast of sustainability—trendy and surprisingly impactful.
3. Join a Community
   Nothing squashes the feeling of helplessness like a little teamwork. Joining an environmental group (even online) can provide a sense of purpose and belonging. Plus, it’s easier to save the planet when you’re doing it with friends who also know how to compost.
4. Focus on What You Can Control
   The rainforests? Not directly in your hands. But your energy use? Totally within your grasp. Shifting focus from global problems to local, manageable actions can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. It’s the same principle behind cleaning your room before tackling your taxes: small victories build momentum.
5. Get Outside and Connect with Nature
   It’s ironic, but sometimes the best way to deal with eco-anxiety is to appreciate the very thing that’s causing it. Go for a walk, breathe in some fresh air, and remind yourself why the planet is worth fighting for. Nature can be calming (when it’s not, you know, on fire), and reconnecting with it can ease those anxious feelings.

The Bottom Line

Eco-anxiety is a perfectly natural reaction to the state of the world, but it doesn’t have to consume you. The key is to strike a balance: stay informed, but don’t drown in negativity. Take action, but don’t burn yourself out. And maybe—just maybe—trust that we, as a species, have been through tough times before and still found ways to innovate, adapt, and thrive. If nothing else, at least we’ve got reusable straws now.

So, breathe easy and remember: you’re doing your best. And sometimes, that’s the most important thing the planet can ask for.

FEATURED IMAGE by Keenan Constance