The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) makes clear the trouble we’re in. Human-induced climate change has caused widespread damage to nature and people, and it’s not just a matter of normal weather variability. The losses mount up as we watch world leaders make excuses and see too many fellow humans who are unconcerned or too preoccupied with their immediate challenges to take action. That can lead to helplessness and despair if we’re not careful.

A recent poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that more than two-thirds of Americans are “somewhat” or “extremely” anxious about climate change. And, a survey of 10,000 teenagers and young adults in various countries found that 59% of them were very or extremely worried about climate change. Most had feelings such as sadness, anxiety, anger, helplessness, and guilt.

What do we do about this grief and anxiety? We can share grief – including grief for losses we see coming – with trusted others. We can put anxieties into words and make them more manageable. We can figure out ways to keep from being overwhelmed and actions that reduce our sense of helplessness. 

There are already some avenues for doing this, such as the “Climate Cafés” provided through the Climate Psychology Alliance. These are online gatherings where people can discuss climate fears and anxieties, led by the Alliance’s facilitators. There is also the Good Grief Network, “a peer-to-peer support group for people overwhelmed by eco-anxiety, climate grief, and other experiences of eco-distress” (quoting from their website). At least in Texas, all such events are available online only.

Websites and publications about coping with climate/environmental distress

(While I try to provide a selection of good and valid resources, please do not assume that I endorse every part of these resources.)

EcoAmerica and APA – (click link) Mental Health and Our Changing Climate

“This report provides the latest information on the multiple effects of climate change on mental health, the structural inequities that lead to some populations bearing greater impacts, and how people think about and respond to climate change. It goes on to describe how individuals and communities can strengthen their resilience in the face of climate change and work for climate policies that will lead to a healthier and more just society.” (p.4)

Psychiatric News – (click link) Generation Climate Change: Growing Up With Ecological Grief and Anxiety

“Ecological grief and anxiety are natural and healthy responses to ecological and climate-change-related losses. It is important to legitimize the process of mourning these losses by naming ecological grief and anxiety and supporting children and young people in coping with this grief and anxiety.”

Climate Psychology Alliance North America (CPA-NA) – (click link) website

“addresses the urgent psychological dimensions of the climate and ecological crisis and promotes cultural shifts toward human resilience, regeneration, and equity.” (Includes Climate-Aware Therapist Directory)

Good Grief Network – (click link) website

“10 Steps to Resilience & Empowerment in a Chaotic Climate. A peer-to-peer support group for people overwhelmed by eco-anxiety, climate grief, and other experiences of eco-distress.”