Coping with climate anxiety
Climate change is connected to more frequent and intense weather events like floods, fires, droughts and storms. Living through or witnessing these events, or hearing about them constantly, can bring up worry, sadness and stress. If you鈥檙e feeling affected, you鈥檙e not alone.听
Climate anxiety (sometimes called eco鈥慳nxiety) describes emotional distress related to climate change and its impacts. Common emotional responses can include grief or sadness, anger, frustration or hopelessness. These feelings often come from uncertainty about the future, concerns about safety or well鈥慴eing and a sense of limited control over large, ongoing issues. Because climate change is widespread and long鈥憈erm, it can feel especially heavy.听
Learning ways to cope can help you process these feelings, avoid burnout and stay connected to everyday life鈥攚hile still caring about the future. Here are some strategies to try.听
听听Focus on what within your control听
Climate change is complex and no single person or group can solve it alone. While that can feel discouraging, it can also be grounding to focus on day-to-day habits and actions that are within your reach.听
Examples include:听
- Getting involved in climate or sustainability initiatives鈥攃heck out events at the Environmental Center to get started, like on April 7.听
Signing up for a free EcoVisit to learn about how you can make your residence more sustainable.听
- Contacting elected officials about issues you care about.听
- Building sustainable habits (energy use, composting, recycling, mindful consumption).听
- Making food choices with lower environmental impact, like plant-based options.听
- Exploring alternative ways to commute.听
- Talking with friends or family about climate issues, or connecting with Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS).听
- Donating time or money to organizations you trust.听
Small choices aren鈥檛 about perfection鈥攖hey鈥檙e about practicing habits that support a more sustainable future.听
Get involved on campus:听
The Environmental Center supports students in building knowledge, leadership skills and community around environmental and climate justice at CU and beyond. Learn about upcoming events, including the 33rd Annual Campus Sustainability Summit on April 15.听
听听Avoid overload and burnout听
Trying to engage with everything can quickly become exhausting. Instead, consider narrowing your focus on the issues that matter most to you.听
You don鈥檛 have to say yes to every opportunity. Choosing where to put your energy can help you reduce stress, maintain balance and stay engaged over the long term.听
听听Practice self鈥慶ompassion听
Caring deeply about climate change can come with high expectations鈥攆or yourself and others. When possible, approach your efforts with kindness rather than self鈥慶riticism.听
You might find it helpful to:听
- Notice and name your emotions (like 鈥淚鈥檓 feeling frustrated鈥 or 鈥淚鈥檓 feeling sad鈥).听
- Allow space for mixed or uncomfortable feelings without judgment.听
- Remind yourself that caring for your mental health is part of sustainable action.听
Helpful reminders:听
- It okay to feel stressed or worried about climate change.听
- Change takes time, and no one can do everything.听
- Taking breaks can help you stay engaged in ways that are healthy.听
听听Take breaks from climate news听
Constant exposure to climate鈥憆elated news or social media can intensify distress. Stepping away (temporarily) doesn鈥檛 mean you don鈥檛 care. It means you鈥檙e protecting your capacity to cope.听
Taking a break might look like:听
- Muting news or social accounts for a while听
- Spending time on hobbies or creative activities听
- Connecting with friends or family without discussing climate issues听
- Spending time outdoors听
- Prioritizing rest and self鈥慶are听
Remember, the information will still be there when you鈥檙e ready to re鈥慹ngage.听
听听Stay connected with others听
It easy to focus on worst鈥慶ase scenarios, but many people are working toward solutions and meaningful change. Connecting with others who share your concerns can help you feel supported, grounded and hopeful.听
One option is the , which offers peer鈥憈o鈥憄eer support groups focused on processing climate鈥憆elated emotions and turning them into meaningful action.听
听听Talk to someone about how you鈥檙e feeling听
Climate anxiety is real and you don鈥檛 have to handle it alone. If these feelings start to interfere with daily life, reaching out for support can help.听
Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers workshops, drop-in hours, screening appointments and referrals to help students address mental health concerns.听 听 听听
By taking care of yourself and connecting with others, you can sustain your commitment to climate action while fostering resilience and hope.听