Climate Anxiety in Motivating Pro-Climate Collective Behaviours

Climate change is profoundly impacting our physical and mental well-being. Severe weather events, such as heat waves and floods, can create and heighten stressors that negatively affect our mental health.

A study published in the npj Climate Action on 13 October 2024 shows that climate change-related psychological distress drives climate action. Researchers used “climate change psychological distress” as an umbrella term covering a spectrum of emotional and mental health responses, including features of depression and anxiety.

Researchers note that previous studies show how climate change is causing negative feelings and distress in children and adults. For instance, in a multinational survey, 45% of children and young people aged 16-25 reported their negative feelings linked to climate change affecting their daily function.

In the United States, 7% of adults claim that they experience psychological distress about climate change. Researchers say climate change’s impact on mental health and well-being highlights the need for sources and strategies to support climate adaptation and resilience.

People approach climate action in many ways, from simple personal habits like cutting down on energy use and minimizing waste to more organized efforts such as advocating for climate policies that can create broader changes. Researchers agree that collective actions—whether they involve volunteering, contacting government representatives, joining social movements, or having meaningful conversations about climate change—are the most effective. These efforts can shape government policy and help establish social norms that support pro-environmental behaviours.

The study used data from two national surveys in the United States to test the strength of the relationship between climate change psychological distress and collective climate action.

The data include 2,118 US adults ages 18 and above, half of whom are female. 62% of respondents are non-Hispanic White, and 35% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Results show that 16% of US adults reported at least one feature of climate change psychological distress or have experienced feelings of depression or anxiety for “several days” or more often over the previous two weeks.

Overall, Democrats, Hispanics/Latinos, lower-income earners, urban residents, and Gen Z/Millennials are among the groups reporting the highest levels of distress.

US adults who experienced some climate-related distress are much more likely than those without distress to have engaged in collective action on climate change or say they would engage in collective action (e.g., join a climate campaign). Additionally, people who experience some climate-related distress are more likely to discuss global warming with their family and friends.

Below is the graph from the study showing the percentages by demographic group of people who experienced at least one feature of climate change psychological distress (feelings of depression or anxiety) “several days” or more often over the previous two weeks.

The study notes that for decades, studies on mental health have shown that coping strategies that focus on addressing the cause of distress can improve the psychological health of children, adolescents, and adults. Researchers believe that engaging in collective actions to address climate change can also alleviate climate change-related psychological distress.  

However, how individuals cope with psychological distress varies. For some, it can drive behaviour. For others, it can be paralysing and hinder action.

Researchers, therefore, encourage further understanding of the relationship between climate-related distress and action to help identify resources that can support people’s mental health and engagement with the issue.

Read the study by visiting the link in the “Source” section below.