According to Maduneme, there’s a curved relationship between climate change anxiety and climate action—low to moderate levels encourage people to take preventive and adaptive actions to fight climate change, while too much anxiety can cause people to disengage.
The study found that “liberal-leaning respondents” were more prone to eco-anxiety and were more likely to take “pro-environmental action.”
A recent study from Brookings, one of the largest U.S. think tanks, found that climate coverage has surged 300 percent since 2012, with the most significant increase occurring over the past five years.
Nelson, however, expressed concern about the subsequent impact of climate-related restrictions on people’s lives.
“They have to scare us enough that we’ll buy into all these crazy restrictions on our lifestyle. If that anxiety and fear goes away, then they can’t sell any of it,” he said.
Focusing on Change
Porrey said eco-anxiety often arises from the feeling of having no control, and, as it can be isolating and overwhelming, it should be treated at a personalized level.
As possible treatment, Porrey often suggests seeking controllable actions that benefit the planet, such as biking to work, joining a “Climate Café,” connecting with nature, and volunteering.
