Why Is Saving The Planet So Stressful?

He continues: “Where professional educators used to say children should not be taught about ‘big tragedies before grade seven’, there’s evidence that now even children in daycare have heard of the climate crisis.”

So, what exactly are ‘eco-fear’ and ‘eco-anxiety’?

When kept in check, ‘eco-fear’ is a rational response to the climate crisis. At this stage it can be used as a motivational power for good and it can inspire change.

However, when it starts to impacting on everyday life with symptoms such as insomnia, catastrophising or negative ruminating thoughts, it becomes more problematic. This combination of feelings becomes ‘eco-anxiety’, which the American Psychological Association defined in 2017 as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” Not ideal, huh?

Who does it affect?

The term has been criticised for seeming classist; like a complex reserved for those of privileged, industrialised societies. While it’s true that we have heard more about the climate breakdown from these voices lately, research tells us that climate distress is felt disproportionately by disadvantaged communities and those who face socioeconomic inequalities, who more often than not are black, Indigenous and people of colour.

Eco-anxiety can affect someone at any age, but we are now seeing a surge in the number of children experiencing it, with half of UK child psychologists saying their patients are feeling distress over the future of the planet.

In fact, in September 2021, a landmark study in what’s said to be the largest youth survey of its kind, found that a jaw-dropping 56% of 16-25 year olds are experiencing climate anxiety. Of the 10,000 young people surveyed across 10 countries, researchers found that the people living in frontline communities are worrying the most, with 92% of respondents in the Philippines feeling scared about the future. This is in stark contrast to  only 56% of cases in Finland.

With data like this in mind, we have to reflect on the fact that this new ‘wave’ of eco fear isn’t that new at all. The communities that have been on the frontline of environmental distress for the longest are at their limits. And while they are resilient, it will take movements on a global scale to change their fate. In other words, we need to be listening to these voices and building coalitions with different communities now.

So, what can we do to help the younger generation?

There’s no way to hide it. The climate crisis is happening now. But there is hope. The younger generation can unlearn the mistakes of our past to forge new opportunities for the planet and all of its inhabitants. That means animals and plants, too!

Pihkala explains that there are several things guardians can do to help. This ranges from encouraging children to join groups where they can carry out collective action and community building, to speaking with their children openly about emotions related to the ecological crisis, so they can see that the adults around them are taking the issue seriously.

The responsibility can’t just be shifted to young people. Pihkala also recommends that adults carry out inner work themselves, so that they are better prepared to provide much-needed support when it comes to emotions, which could range from anger to grief, and denial to enthusiasm, depending on their individual attitudes and beliefs. It is highly important that guardians don’t delegate their own anxiety and fear to children.

What can our institutions do to help?

Educational institutions play a crucial role. Without them, it is like fighting a fire without water.

Historically, emotions have been sidelined in favour of reason and intellectualism. However, this is now being challenged.

In the UK, Teach the Future, a youth advocacy group, is lobbying to get the topic onto all classes across the national curricula in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Tess Corcoran, the project’s campaign coordinator, explains teachers will need to be equipped with the right tools to teach this improved syllabus:

“Teachers don't know how to help students struggling with eco-anxiety and that this should be part of teacher training. Of course, teaching students about the reality of the climate crisis will inevitably increase eco-anxiety, but if teachers know how to help with this it will ultimately help everyone. Eco-anxiety will exist regardless of levels of climate education, so it benefits everyone to discuss these feelings and examine how we can turn that fear into action.”

New Zealand is pioneering this movement, by giving every school access to information about the climate crisis, including tools for students to plan their own activism while processing their feelings of eco-anxiety. Meanwhile, just last autumn, Finland’s Ministry of Education issued new guidelines on climate anxiety for schools. Having worked as an advisor on the Finnish project, Pihkala reflected on its progress:

“If you go to a random Finnish school, it's probably not taken off there yet. And, of course, in New Zealand, it will also take time. I think it's inspiring and encouraging that in various places in the world, this is getting more and more attention. I think that overall, we need to have more of a focus on social support for helping educators and parents to try to encounter their own emotions, even though it may be difficult. Luckily, there are organisations emerging in several countries offering that kind of support.”

But wait, what do you do?

We are now at a tipping point where awareness of eco-anxiety is starting to hit the mainstream. For many, the fear is increasing but finding the right tools for the job is still a struggle.

TALES is determined to fill this gap.

Through storytelling, we can explore the worlds that are out of sight and never out of mind. The mythologies that shape these cultures provide us with the original insights into native living, agriculture, preservation and survival. Without these voices being raised we are guessing what to do. Looking at this as outsiders is no longer an option. We believe that within the hearts of these communities lie the answers we all need to hear and learn from.

By equipping the next generation with critical minds, empathy, and compassion, we can turn their despair into action.