Climate Anxiety & Eco-Grief

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We usually focus on the physical impacts of climate change, but ecological loss is also taking a huge emotional toll. In the face of our growing climate crisis, scientists, activists, and young people report increasing anxiety and despair. Meanwhile, frontline communities — particularly BIPOC and marginalized groups — are experiencing the brunt of climate disasters and suffering significant mental health impacts.  As terms like "eco-anxiety," "climate grief" and "pre-traumatic stress" become more common, the climate movement is starting to take emotions seriously.

To successfully navigate the long emergency ahead, we need to build inner resilience, not just seawalls and solar panels. As a climate educator and researcher, Dr. Jennifer Atkinson works with students and communities to channel despair into action, and develop emotional strategies to stay engaged in climate solutions without becoming overwhelmed.