Researchers from the University of East Anglia and the University of Bath in the United Kingdom have found a link between climate change and a new form of anxiety appearing in some people. The study results were published in Lancet Planetary Health and contribute to a growing conversation about how environmental issues touch daily life, especially for younger generations.
In this international study, roughly ten thousand teenagers and young people from ten different countries took part. The researchers gathered information about participants’ mental health and asked them to share their worries about what is happening to the climate and how it might affect their futures. The goal was to understand not only if concerns exist but how these concerns translate into real mental health patterns.
About six in ten respondents, nearly 59 percent, reported feeling anxious when they thought about the planet’s environmental trajectory and potential changes ahead. Additionally, nearly half of the participants, around 45 percent, described obsessive thoughts about climate issues as affecting their overall quality of life. These figures underscore a notable rise in climate-related mental distress among young people and show how pervasive these concerns are across different regions and cultures. This pattern suggests that climate anxiety is not merely a fleeting mood but a persistent state that can influence daily experiences and choices. The findings illuminate a broader landscape of emotional responses to climate risk that extend beyond immediate fear to longer-term impacts on wellbeing and functioning. (Lancet Planetary Health)
Experts describe climate anxiety as a subtype of anxiety disorder that centers on environmental threats and uncertainty. Individuals with this form may become highly preoccupied with weather patterns, climate data, and ongoing research into environmental topics. In more pronounced cases, the preoccupation can drive heightened activism or other behaviors intended to regain a sense of control. When the anxiety reaches intense levels, it can interfere with everyday tasks, academic performance, and social life, highlighting the need for recognition and supportive approaches within education systems and healthcare settings. (Lancet Planetary Health)
Psychotherapy is a common pathway for addressing traditional anxiety disorders by helping people identify triggers and learn coping strategies. Yet climate change is a global, collective challenge, not a problem that can be solved by one person alone. This reality makes it harder to restore a strong sense of control and secure trust in the future, even as individual therapy remains a valuable resource for those experiencing climate-related distress. The research implies that a combination of personal coping techniques and community-level interventions may offer the most comprehensive support, including psychoeducation about climate risk, resilience-building practices, and social support networks. (Lancet Planetary Health)
Earlier research has also warned about broader ecological shocks linked to climate dynamics, including the potential for locust outbreaks in some regions. These alerts reinforce the idea that climate change can precipitate cascading effects on health, livelihoods, and security, reinforcing the importance of preparedness, public health planning, and timely information to help communities respond effectively. (Lancet Planetary Health)