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Eco-anxiety is an emotional response to the climate crisis, a wake-up call that alerts us to the environmental threats. Yet, emotions such as fear, anger or sadness can also act as catalysts for action, transforming concern into a commitment to change. By overcoming feelings of isolation and joining forces with others, we can turn this concern into a collective purpose, driven by active hope and shared responsibility.

It is universally understood that victims of environmental disasters, such as floods or wildfires, who have lost their homes, possessions and loved ones, may experience post-traumatic emotional distress. However, our suffering does not only stem from what we personally endure, but also from what we witness and anticipate.

As early as 2003, philosopher Glenn Albrecht drew attention to the potential psychological impact of perceiving environmental change. Albrecht coined the term solastalgia to describe the emotional pain felt by the residents of the Hunter Valley in Australia, where, within just a few years, the landscape had been entirely transformed by open-pit coal mining. Solastalgia, he explains, is the feeling of homesickness despite never having left home. This feeling arises when you no longer recognise your surroundings, when the landscape, memories and connections to your environment are lost. Along with the land itself, the sense of belonging and personal identity are also eroded.[1]

Solastalgia, or mourning the loss of one’s environment, is just one of many facets of emotional distress linked to environmental degradation, particularly climate change. Other documented effects include a wide range of troubling emotions. We may fear for our own lives and health, for our well-being and that of future generations, or for the most vulnerable members of society. We may also worry about animals losing their habitats, the availability of resources, the stability of ecosystems or the risk of social conflict. Sadness may overwhelm us in the face of human suffering caused by environmental disasters and degradation. We may feel anger at government and corporate inaction, the denial of scientific evidence or the injustice of a climate crisis that punishes the poorest, despite them bearing the least responsibility. Guilt may arise from our own contributions to the crisis or from feeling that we are not doing enough to tackle it. Sometimes, it is frustration at fighting against powerful opposing forces or a sense of helplessness when our efforts seem to make little impact. Or it could be a mix of all these emotions.

The term eco-anxiety has gradually gained popularity as a way to describe the distress caused by the environmental crisis. It has entered academic discourse, with the American Psychological Association (APA)[2] formally recognising it within the context of contemporary mental health. Nevertheless, what has most contributed to its widespread recognition is a large-scale international study on climate anxiety in young people, led by psychotherapist Caroline Hickman from the University of Bath. Published in The Lancet,[3] in 2021, the study attracted significant media attention.

Although eco-anxiety has become a widely used term, it has certain limitations. On the one hand, despite the publication of several review papers and summaries of scientific literature, its definition remains imprecise, with multiple interpretations.[4]

On the other hand, the term can be misleading, as it may be confused with an anxiety disorder or suggest a level of severity that, in most cases, does not apply. When misunderstood, it can seem exaggerated or even lead to the mistaken belief that any concern about climate change is pathological or abnormal, when, in reality, it is a natural response to the climate crisis. Feeling concern over environmental problems that directly affect our lives is not only understandable but also a sign of our connection to the natural world and the sense of responsibility we feel to protect it.

The researcher Panu Pihkala, a pioneer in the study of emotions and the climate crisis,[5] explains that in Finland, the term ympäristöahdistus (which translates to “eco-anxiety” in Finnish) does not carry particularly negative connotations. This contrasts with how it is perceived in other languages, where it can imply pathology or dysfunction. Pihkala began using the term to help normalise environmental distress and promote open discussions – both in public and educational settings – about the emotions linked to climate change, without stigmatising them.

Emotions: A meaningful alarm

Although some individuals may, in extreme cases, feel overwhelmed by their perception of the climate crisis, experiencing symptoms like insomnia or panic attacks, we should not view this response as pathological. Emotions triggered by the crisis are a rational reaction that can motivate us to take action. Anxiety, in fact, serves an adaptive purpose: it alerts us to a threat and pushes us to prepare for it.

The word “emotion” derives from the Latin emovere, meaning “to stir up”. Emotions stir us when there are changes in our environment, helping us understand and respond to these shifts. They work as an alarm, warning us of imminent danger and prompting us to act. Just as fever signals an infection, eco-anxiety warns of environmental threats. Fear for the future, sadness over losses, anger at the inaction of governments or guilt for our own passivity – while uncomfortable, these emotions are essential. When a fire alarm sounds, the issue is not the noise, but the fire. The key is not to silence the alarm, but to put out the flames.

American psychologist Thomas Doherty, another pioneer in the study of emotions linked to the environmental crisis,[6] also argues that anxiety is a healthy emotion: “Anxiety’s job is not to make you happy, it’s to keep you alive”. This perspective emphasises the mobilising power of emotions, which push us out of inertia and drive us to find solutions.

Taking action

The problem is not feeling anxiety but becoming stuck without a way out. When uncomfortable emotions prompt us to reflect, talk to others, explore alternatives and take action, they transform worry into purpose. “Practical” eco-anxiety motivates us to make decisions, not only to alleviate distress, but to truly commit to change.

Responsibility, understood as the ability to respond to a situation, is key. When we ask ourselves, “What can I do?”, we identify what we can control and find concrete ways to take action.

The climate crisis is the result of a way of life passed down through decisions made long before we were born. However, this does not mean we do not have a part to play. We do not need to feel guilty to take action, but we must take responsibility for contributing to the solution. Environmental responsibility involves understanding that our actions have an impact, and that we have the power to take steps to reduce it.

It is a proactive and positive approach that encourages us to join a collective effort. Climate change is a global problem that requires action from everyone – from citizens to governments and businesses, each with distinct responsibilities, some much greater than others.

Three pathways within reach

Individually, each of us has a limited capacity to drive transformation. If we are to achieve meaningful change, it’s crucial to recognise that collective action is the key. We must remember that we are not alone, and connecting with others is vital. Only through collaboration can we amplify our capacity to take action.

The importance of personal action has been heavily emphasised, and it’s true that there are many changes in our daily lives that we can – and must – make, changes that depend solely on each of us (although we are always limited by the context). However, we know that, in the fight against climate change, it is governments and large corporations who have the capacity to drive large-scale transformations. Therefore, we must exercise our ability to advocate and apply pressure for them to act.

Moreover, between fulfilling our personal responsibilities at home and engaging in mobilisation, a wide range of opportunities opens up to drive social transformation. By working together with others, we can effectively change our reality through community action. By joining forces with those who share our goals, we can take the initiative and organise ourselves to proactively lead collective projects that genuinely transform our surroundings and create alternative spaces for change.

There are numerous initiatives that show how joint action can transform the environment. From communities generating renewable energy on their rooftops to community gardens, exchange platforms, car-sharing schemes, time banks and environmental restoration projects, the possibilities are vast. You might argue that these are small-scale initiatives with limited impact. In many cases, that’s true, and this is why they are often referred to as microcontexts of change. However, there are also larger-scale experiences, with extraordinary examples such as the Som Energia cooperative[7] which for a long time was the only option for purchasing renewable energy across Spain and now has nearly 86,000 members.

Connecting with people who share our concerns not only amplifies our capacity to drive change, but also helps overcome isolation and strengthens our sense of belonging and shared purpose. As a result, feeling supported and understood enhances our emotional well-being. Facing the global crisis can be overwhelming, but knowing we are not alone in this struggle provides invaluable support for our mental and emotional health. As the environmentalist Andreu Escrivà has said, “collective action doesn’t let you fall”.

Hope and commitment

We start by understanding and caring for ourselves: when we are well, we can live fully and have the energy to contribute to change. It’s essential to maintain a healthy outlook, avoiding despair and learning to embrace contradictions: doing all we can, knowing that not everything depends on us, but that some things certainly do. We identify concrete steps, explore realistic pathways and seek like-minded companions to move forward together. We are capable of acting, cooperating and demanding. Every step we take – whether it’s reducing emissions, preserving resources or calling for structural change –will contribute to a more liveable future.

The time to act is now, without delay. We need swift and effective decisions to cut emissions. Some claim it is already too late, but that kind of thinking can paralyse us and turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. We reject resignation: there is still time. Even if some consequences are now unavoidable, we can still prevent the most devastating ones.

Rebecca Solnit[8] writes: “Hope is not like a lottery ticket that you sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you use to break down doors in an emergency”. Hope does not ignore reality or expect miracles. It is an active force for confronting challenges with determination and courage, especially in critical moments. There is a close relationship between hope and commitment: hope drives action, and action, in turn, sustains hope.

As Edgar Morin,[9] reminds us, “The improbable is also possible, just as the unpredictable is”. Climate change is a colossal challenge, but it also presents an opportunity to redefine our relationship with the planet and with one another.