How to cope with eco-anxiety

It's important that we're concerned for the future of our planet - but we can learn to sit with the uncertainty and channel it for good

- Caroline Butterwick

From melting icecaps to record-breaking heatwaves, the news regularly brings stories about the effects of climate change - and warnings of it getting worse. Do you feel a sense of dread when you read about wildfires or rising sea levels, scared about what the future brings for us and our planet? If so, you're not alone. It's known as eco-anxiety: a fear of environmental doom.

Research by the Office for National Statistics shows that three-quarters of adults in Great Britain say they worry about the impact of climate change. Whether it's a feeling of grief for what's happening, or anger that those in power aren't doing more, many of us are experiencing these emotions.

'Eco-anxiety is an emotionally healthy response to what's going on in the world,' says Caroline Hickman, a psychotherapist who is an expert in supporting people experiencing eco-anxiety. 'It's rational to be scared of climate change.

Hickman explains how it's different to other forms of anxiety, where we can usually see there is treatment and normal life on the other side. This means the way we approach eco-anxiety should be different, too. 'It's too big to comprehend, because humanity has never faced a threat on this scale before,' she says.

'You should be proud that you care,' Hickman emphasises. It shows that you're compassionate and care about other people, animals and nature. Crucially, tackling eco-anxiety isn't about getting rid of our feelings or pretending everything's okay. 'We have to learn to change our relationship with this anxiety,' says Hickman.