mental health
Newsletter
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Teachers adapt to address emotional impacts of climate change
Educators are increasingly focusing on trauma-sensitive approaches to help students manage the emotional effects of climate change.
Nathalie Reid, Audrey Aamodt, and Jennifer MacDonald write for The Conversation.
In short:
- Teachers are noticing rising climate anxiety among students and are adopting trauma-sensitive methods to support them.
- Professional development for educators includes outdoor learning, interdisciplinary inquiry, and balanced climate action strategies.
- Sharing hopeful stories and focusing on community-led climate initiatives helps nurture a forward-looking mindset.
Why this matters:
Climate change education that acknowledges and addresses students' emotional responses can foster resilience and hope. As young people face an uncertain future, equipping them with strategies to cope with climate trauma is essential for their mental health and engagement in meaningful climate action.
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Countries neglect children in climate adaptation plans
Many countries' climate adaptation plans fail to address the specific needs of children, with one-third not mentioning them at all, a new study finds.
In short:
- A study of 160 countries shows 28% of national climate adaptation plans do not mention children.
- One-third of plans that mention children only address a single area, such as education, with none addressing mental health.
- Experts cite a lack of advocacy, funding, collaboration, and data as reasons for this oversight.
Key quote:
“Children’s mental health is a crucial public health concern that requires immediate action.”
— Kathrin Zangerl, pediatrician and the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health
Why this matters:
Children are uniquely susceptible to the impacts of climate change, from heatwaves and flooding to food and water insecurity. Yet, despite their heightened vulnerability, the study found that policymakers often overlook the distinct challenges children face. This omission could have serious long-term consequences, not only for their health and development but also for their ability to thrive in a changing world.
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Having children in a climate-conscious world
Jade Sasser’s latest book explores the racial dimensions of climate anxiety and its impact on reproductive decisions.
In short:
- Jade Sasser’s new book, “Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question,” investigates how climate anxiety influences reproductive choices, especially among women of color.
- Survey results indicate that women of color are more likely to have fewer children due to climate concerns compared to other groups.
- The book emphasizes the need to include marginalized communities in climate anxiety research to understand their unique experiences.
Key quote:
“Climate anxiety is a normal, natural response to climate change. Let’s fight and solve climate change, and then you won’t have the thing to be anxious about.”
— Jade Sasser, environmental scientist
Why this matters:
Understanding how climate anxiety affects mental health and reproductive decisions, especially in marginalized communities is important for crafting inclusive climate policies that consider the diverse experiences of all communities. Read more: Feeling anxious about climate change? Experts say you're not alone.
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Biden's climate corps aims to curb eco-anxiety
President Joe Biden's new American Climate Corps is designed to address climate change while providing green jobs and potentially alleviating climate anxiety among young people.
In short:
- The American Climate Corps offers jobs restoring wetlands, installing solar panels, and addressing climate anxiety.
- Many young people are unsure how to take effective climate action, which contributes to widespread eco-anxiety.
- Structured, hands-on work with clear goals can alleviate the distress associated with climate change.
Key quote:
“There’s something about, ‘Here is a clear job with a clear timeline and a clear local goal. I can, like, put my hands in the dirt.’'"
— Kidus Girma, campaign director of the Sunrise Movement
Why this matters:
The American Climate Corps not only fights climate change but also provides mental health benefits by giving young people purposeful work, fostering social support, and building psychological resilience. Read more: Robbie Parks on climate justice and mental health.
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Scientists predict severe climate impacts as global warming targets are missed. How do they face the future?
Amid growing global temperatures, scientists fear devastating future impacts, but emphasize that the fight against climate change cannot be abandoned.
In short:
- Climate experts predict temperatures will exceed the 1.5C goal, potentially reaching a catastrophic 3C increase.
- A recent survey indicates most climate scientists believe the 1.5C target is unachievable, with severe consequences expected globally.
- Despite these dire predictions, experts stress the importance of continued efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.
Key quote:
"Sometimes it is almost impossible not to feel hopeless and broken. After all the flooding, fires, and droughts of the last three years worldwide, all related to climate change, and after the fury of Hurricane Otis in Mexico, my country, I really thought governments were ready to listen to the science, to act in the people’s best interest."
— Ruth Cerezo-Mota, climate scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
Why this matters:
If temperatures rise to 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the consequences could be devastating. We could see more frequent and severe weather events like hurricanes, heatwaves, and droughts, all of which pose significant threats to ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. For instance, increased heat can exacerbate respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases and limit people’s ability to work outdoors, impacting livelihoods, especially in already vulnerable communities.
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Exploring the link between prenatal stress from natural disasters and child psychiatric conditions
A new investigation reveals how children exposed to Hurricane Sandy in utero face higher psychiatric condition risks, offering insights into the broader impacts of climate change on brain health.
In short:
- Yoko Nomura's study highlights a significant increase in anxiety, depression, and ADHD risks in children exposed prenatally to Hurricane Sandy.
- This research contributes to understanding how climate-related stressors can alter gene expression, affecting neurological and psychiatric outcomes.
- The findings underscore the pressing need to consider the neurodegenerative impacts of the climate crisis, including on children and future generations.
Key quote:
“We’re not thinking about any of this. We’re not getting our healthcare systems ready. We’re not doing anything in terms of prevention or protections.”
— Burcin Ikiz, a neuroscientist at the mental-health philanthropy organisation the Baszucki Group
Why this matters:
The conversation around climate change often centers on environmental and physical health impacts, but the psychological and neurological consequences are profound and far-reaching. The link between prenatal stress due to natural disasters and child psychiatric disorders is a poignant reminder of the unseen and enduring impact of these catastrophic events.
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Finding solace in climate cafes amid environmental concerns
As climate anxiety grows, Americans are finding comfort and community in climate cafes, spaces dedicated to discussing the emotional toll of environmental change.
Lola Fadulu and Emily Schmall report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Climate cafes are emerging nationwide, offering a platform for individuals to express their fears and grief about the climate crisis.
- These gatherings, inspired by the concept of death cafes, aim to help participants appreciate life while acknowledging environmental challenges.
- Facilitators trained by the Climate Psychology Alliance lead discussions, emphasizing the mental health impacts of climate change and strategies for emotional resilience.
Key quote:
"I can’t buy into the narrative anymore that there’s no choice in how this ends and that major corporations have complete control over my future."
— Sheila McMenamin, Brooklyn resident
Why this matters:
In a world grappling with the realities of climate change, climate cafes provide a unique space for emotional support and collective action. For years Americans have been warned about the dangers of pollution and climate change but one effect is neglected: impacts to our brains.
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