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Have climate anxiety? Take our survey and take action.

Distress over climate change is hitting some of us hard. Whether you call it climate anxiety, ecoanxiety or something else, it’s a fear of environmental catastrophe.

Take our survey and see how others are feeling, too.

Connecting with others and working together toward climate change solutions can be powerful remedies. Here are ways to do both.

7 ways to manage climate anxiety

Looking at scientific literature and surveys of young people, a group of mental health professionals identified these strategies:

  1. Acknowledge and validate feelings — recognizing negative emotions about climate change and understanding that those feelings are normal.
  2. Use emotional coping tools — including reframing; cultivating meaning, hope and optimism; and mindfulness.
  3. Make social connections — feeling supported and cared for by others.
  4. Connect with nature — spending time outdoors, including urban parks.
  5. Take climate action — doing your part to help address climate change (including multiple ways through EDF).
  6. Practice self-care — engaging in activities that boost your well-being. (Check out these tips based on how we at EDF handle climate anxiety.)
  7. Build your awareness of climate justice — Some communities experience more environmental harms because of such factors as systemic racism, poverty and lack of access to political power. Educating yourself can help lead you toward becoming part of a just solution. 

Source: “Climate Change & Youth Mental Health” [PDF] 

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