Well, the most severe threat to the world is Climate change. It poses a serious threat to the ecology and also public health. Prediction of the future state of the environment and the ecological balance creates fear among humans by unfolding the harsh climatic reality. Earth is not immune to the destructive changes due to pollution, global warming, etc. Nature has been influenced by human-induced climatic changes. It poses serious threats to both natural habitats and animal species worldwide.
What is Eco-Anxiety?
The climate crisis can lead to psychological disorders. A global sustainability Crisis often results in people feeling anxious or even depressed. Eco-anxiety, not considered a disease, has been linked with increased worry about environmental issues. These issues may manifest as depression for some individuals who are really concerned about ecological balance and the environment.
Currently, doctors haven’t considered it a diagnosable situation, but it has been listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). People can get hurt with the thought of sudden harm to the environment.
We are facing a plethora of environmental problems, such as heatwaves and typhoons. The rise in pollution in the world has also increased health issues. We must take drastic measures soon, else it could be too late for humanity!
With recent natural disasters and climate change, many people are experiencing eco-anxiety. There is no data on how much the population suffers from this condition. It seems that eco-anxiety can grow with the increasing changes in the natural environment.
How does Eco-anxiety affect people?
Its effect differs, and it can attack the mental health of those who are more concerned about the environment and sudden changes in it. It can cause specific changes in the body like stress, sleep issues, nervousness, etc. These can be the symptoms of eco-anxiety.
People who have been displaced and are migrants can experience eco-anxiety issues. In addition, those people who have mental or physical health problems, or lower socioeconomic status can face eco-anxiety.
Tips to control eco-anxiety
Eco-anxiety may be a contributing factor to many people’s stress and anxiety, as our natural world becomes more saturated with negative influences. However, there are ways that one can combat these feelings of eco fear by looking for the positive side in any circumstance or working on emotional regulation techniques.
Along with that, humans can control the environmental effects by caring a bit about our planet. We can educate others about climate change and the problems associated with it. We can follow the waste management techniques like recycling and reducing waste generation. Using renewable energy and sustainable resources can help in maintaining the ecological balance. Don’t use plastic, and if used, don’t litter it here and there, rather dump it off. Sustainable activities like gardening and planting trees can reduce pollution and thus, can reduce unwanted climatic changes. Earth is the only planet where humans can survive entirely, and fear of climatic crisis can make people feel anxious and uncomfortable.