Eco-Anxiety, When Climate Crisis Triggers Many People's Anxiety

The escalating climate crisis is fueling a growing psychological phenomenon known as eco-anxiety, characterized by excessive worry and fear about the state of the environment. This condition is particularly impacting younger generations, who face an uncertain future shaped by environmental degradation.

Eco-anxiety manifests as deep-seated concern, fear, and even despair stemming from the observable effects of climate change. Psychologists increasingly recognize this term to describe the mental health consequences of a crisis that is no longer a distant threat but a present and tangible reality across the globe. Recent years have seen record-breaking heatwaves in Europe, devastating wildfires in Canada and Australia, and frequent floods and droughts worldwide, including in Indonesia.

The constant influx of information detailing environmental crises contributes to this pervasive sense of unease. This anxiety is not limited to individuals directly affected by climate-related disasters but extends to those who are daily exposed to news about the worsening condition of the planet. The World Meteorological Organization's data highlights that recent years have been the hottest on record, underscoring the urgency and reality of climate change impacts.