Introduction
Eco-anxiety—also known as climate anxiety—is defined by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2017) as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” With climate change becoming increasingly visible through wildfires, floods, and extreme heat, adolescents and young adults report higher levels of distress compared to older populations.
A 2021 global survey of 10,000 youth (aged 16–25) across 10 countries revealed that:
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59% felt very or extremely worried about climate change.
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45% reported that climate anxiety negatively affects daily functioning (e.g., sleep, concentration, or relationships).
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40% were hesitant about having children due to climate concerns (Hickman et al., 2021).
Symptoms of Eco-Anxiety
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Cognitive: Intrusive thoughts, worry, rumination.
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Emotional: Fear, sadness, helplessness, guilt.
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Physical: Sleep disturbance, muscle tension, fatigue.
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Behavioral: Avoidance of planning the future, withdrawal, or hyper-focus on activism.
Why Eco-Anxiety Is Rising?
| Factor | Percentage of Youth Reporting Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Constant exposure to climate news on social media | 65% | Ojala et al., 2021 |
| Fear of future resource scarcity & displacement | 56% | World Health Organization [WHO], 2022 |
| Feeling governments are failing to act | 58% | UNICEF, 2021 |
| Direct experience of climate disasters | 37% | American Psychological Association [APA], 2020 |
Therapeutic Modalities for Eco-Anxiety
| Modality | Key Focus | Evidence of Effectiveness | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Challenging catastrophic thoughts; building resilience | 70% reduction in anxiety scores in youth climate-related CBT trials (Clayton et al., 2020) | First-line for individual sessions |
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) | Acceptance of uncertainty; values-driven action | 63% improved coping & meaning-making (Hayes et al., 2021) | Effective for clients overwhelmed by lack of control |
| Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) | Processing grief, anger, and loss linked to climate change | Positive outcomes in 60% of eco-anxiety cases (Pihkala, 2022) | Suitable for adolescents & families |
| Mindfulness & Grounding | Managing physiological symptoms of anxiety | 55% reported better stress regulation (APA, 2020) | Best for group or school-based programs |
| Community-Based Interventions | Peer support, climate activism groups | 68% of youth reported empowerment through collective action (Ojala, 2018) | Effective in reducing helplessness and isolation |
How Therapy Can Help with Eco-Anxiety
Therapy offers structured, evidence-based support that helps adolescents and young adults move from distress to resilience in the face of climate change concerns.
Key Benefits of Therapy
| Therapeutic Benefit | Description | Impact on Clients |
|---|---|---|
| Validation & Normalization | Acknowledging eco-anxiety as a legitimate response to environmental threats. | Reduces shame and isolation. |
| Cognitive Restructuring | Reframing catastrophic or all-or-nothing thinking about climate change. | Lowers intrusive worry; increases problem-solving. |
| Emotional Processing | Safe space to grieve climate-related losses. | Improves emotional balance. |
| Resilience-Building Skills | Stress-regulation strategies reduce physiological anxiety. | Improves sleep, focus, daily functioning. |
| Values-Based Action | Encouraging constructive climate engagement. | Transforms helplessness into empowerment. |
| Interpersonal Support | Family and group therapy normalize shared concerns. | Strengthens social bonds and reduces loneliness. |
Clinical Example
A 19-year-old university student reports insomnia, daily worry about “the planet dying,” and avoidance of career planning. Through 10 CBT + ACT-informed sessions, they:
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Identified unhelpful thought patterns.
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Practiced grounding for panic episodes.
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Explored sustainability values, leading to activism in a student climate group.
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Reframed eco-anxiety as motivation for constructive change.
Outcomes:
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50% improvement in sleep
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40% reduction in daily worry
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Greater social and academic engagement
Conclusion
Eco-anxiety is a legitimate mental health challenge disproportionately affecting adolescents and young adults. With up to 60% of youth reporting daily climate-related distress, therapy provides essential pathways toward resilience. Evidence-based modalities such as CBT, ACT, and EFT, combined with community engagement, empower young people to transform eco-anxiety from paralysis into purposeful action.
References
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American Psychological Association. (2017). Mental health and our changing climate: Impacts, implications, and guidance. APA.
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American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America: Climate change. APA.
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Clayton, S., Manning, C., Krygsman, K., & Speiser, M. (2020). Mental health and climate change: Addressing the invisible impacts. Climate for Health.
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Hayes, S. C., Hofmann, S. G., & Stanton, C. E. (2021). The role of ACT in addressing climate change anxiety. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 1–11.
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Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., & van Susteren, L. (2021). Climate anxiety in children and young people: A global phenomenon. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12), e863–e873. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00278-3
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Ojala, M. (2018). Eco-anxiety in young people: Coping strategies and perspectives. Sustainability, 10(7), 2290.
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Ojala, M., Cunsolo, A., & Pihkala, P. (2021). Anxiety about climate change: An emerging mental health issue. Current Opinion in Psychology, 42, 44–49.
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Pihkala, P. (2022). Toward a taxonomy of climate emotions. Frontiers in Climate, 4, 1–15.
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UNICEF. (2021). The climate crisis is a child rights crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index. UNICEF.
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World Health Organization. (2022). Climate change and health. WHO.