The Human Element of Climate Change

What is the connection between our behaviour and the climate crisis? How does it affect our way of life and our response to this crisis?

These are all factors that are intertwined. “There are many determinants we need for good mental health and well-being that might be environmental, social, cultural, and economic.” One potential conceptualisation of mental health, explains Jessica, refers to thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that can hold a person’s ability to function. “However, there are many diverse understandings of mental health and wellbeing globally, which are vital to consider in how we understand and support mental health in the climate crisis. Wellbeing is also deeply intertwined with mental health, which again is conceptualised in many ways; one such way is as the quality of life and ability to contribute with a sense of meaning and purpose.” Jessica continues. These topics are always to be contextualised to consider geography, explains Simon. “Above all, we need to ensure access to healthcare that addresses both physical and psychological needs. We also need basic necessities such as a roof over our heads, a positive outlook for the future, safety, security, and access to food and water. We don’t need excessive material consumption to be happy, but we do need to feel safe and secure both physically and psychologically.”

The environmental crisis can be considered a behavioural crisis caused by human activity. Attempting to tackle it without considering our innate humanity would be illogical. Aside from relationships, meaning and autonomy are essential contributors to well-being, but they do not necessarily have anything to do with richness or consumption, explained Simon. The key is voluntary decision-making and helping people see that preserving the planet enhances our happiness instead of limiting it. “Individuals, such as farmers, for example, feel misunderstood and misled by many of the people in power.” The focus should be on integrating them into the solution rather than perceiving them as a problem, “ensuring a future where they can continue doing what they love.” Everyone requires meaningfulness, Simon continues, but what we consider meaningful can vary. It can be buying a big house, being richer than our neighbour, or being a good citizen, parent, or educator. “We live in a consumption society ( and when I speak of this, I refer to those areas in the world that have plenty) where people are constantly bombarded by commercials that suggest that happiness comes from consuming. That is not true.” We should not compromise meaningfulness, he continues, but we can work on creating it in a way that uses fewer resources.

Our common crisis is felt globally; we feel it in our bones as we sense a summer’s day in winter or thrashing storms that threaten to uproot our safe space. We can see it on the news or in every new sci-fi film that covers billboards across cities. A never-ending doomsday narrative. If we are continuously told that the world is unwell, why are we no longer connected to this information? We know it, we understand it, but somehow we are limited. In a recent workshop conducted with children, Jessica described the negative view that these children had for the future; “Many of them were sharing how scary the stories and narratives they were hearing were.” Explains Jessica, “Surrounded by these harmful narratives, young people described a sense of fear and hopelessness about the future.” The way in which these narratives are constructed through media and how we discuss them among ourselves is very impactful to the way in which younger generations then feel about the climate crisis and consequently how they are able to respond to it.” These mediums can be used as a positive tool. Filmmakers can utilise documentaries and media to construct narratives that promote positive action, such as showcasing the co-benefits of climate action on health, illustrating ways to improve the world, and highlighting opportunities for significant societal wins. These narratives must connect the dots on the bigger picture, Jessica explains, and encourage collective action rather than signalling out individuals as responsible for these issues.

Understanding how climate change and mental health are connected is key. “Instead of seeing them separately, we can address both the climate and mental health crises together. Co-beneficial actions exist that can help turn what is currently a vicious cycle between the climate and mental health crises. We can turn things around. Improving the environment can boost mental health and empower us to take better climate action. It’s like shifting from a bad cycle to a good one, simultaneously creating a positive ripple effect across different areas of society.” A continuous sense of nervousness is what scientists and psychologists have coined as Solastalgia, “a sense of homesickness while still remaining at home, because of witnessing and experiencing changing environments because of climate change,” explains Jessica, “what is a hugely broad range of emotional responses that people are experiencing in response to climate impact.” Solastalgia is the sense that you are witnessing your environment change around you and witnessing that loss; it is linked to other similar terms like ecological grief. These staggering ecological grief concepts are felt most strongly by people and communities who have very strong connections to a sense of place and connections to the land that they live on. Farming communities or people whose livelihoods are dependent and connected to them. Not to forget climate scientists, people who are working in these spaces, conducting fieldwork and then watching the very impacts that they’re measuring come to life.

Though the responses to these can be crushing emotionally, they are perfectly logical. There is an urgency to support climate-related mental health impact because people are experiencing debilitating effects on their psychological resilience, which can cause depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, suicide, anxiety and countless other problems. However, “Climate anxiety is not a mental health condition”, explains Jessica, “These emotions should not be pathologised; they can be healthy, rational and valid responses, but can also be ongoing stressors that require support.” But these reactions to the climate crisis are rational responses. To attempt to treat climate anxiety the same way a fear of flying, snakes, or confined spaces would not reach any conclusions. “Treating anxiety involves identifying your fears and gradually exposing yourself to them. However, climate anxiety is a rational emotion, and you cannot cure it. Instead, you can learn to cope with it, to stay informed.” Simon explains. “In regard to climate therapy, it is very important to validate these responses to ensure that people feel heard and recognise that it’s normal and okay to feel whatever they might be feeling. I would also recommend to unite with other people to form groups and take action. And to share both hopes and worries on behalf of the future.”

Climate anxiety isn’t limited to certain countries; it is prevalent where people face direct impacts of climate change, Jessica notes, explaining the misconception that such an emotion is a luxury reserved for the few. “Climate anxiety and fear is heightened among those who’ve actually experienced its effects firsthand, and fear that they will face those impacts again in the future.” Attempting to suppress or dismiss these emotions may do more harm than good. Instead, we should learn to support these emotions and channel them into work that might ease the strain on the planet and, subsequently, ourselves. Furthermore, we must acknowledge that the crisis is not one that an individual can solve on their own. Such a responsibility ought to be shaken off right away.

Striving for realism is key, aiming for a balanced perspective. It’s essential to acknowledge and cultivate positive emotions like hope, excitement, and inspiration and link them to planetary efforts. “Embracing realism involves acknowledging both positive and negative emotions without dismissing them. In climate psychology, this balanced approach is crucial for fostering meaningful action in response to environmental challenges.” Simon explained, referring to the psychological adaptation and emotional resilience to the Anthropocene epoch. He continues to explain in relation to farming, “the goal is to find ways to facilitate an agriculture transition that aligns with farmers’ values and maintains their sense of autonomy, ensuring that they are seen as vital contributors to the transition towards circularity.” Recognising and addressing negative emotions in any individual, among young people in particular, helps prevent them from escalating into overwhelming feelings like anger and depression. However, it requires, at the same time, that these people can see appropriate action being taken to solve the problem. If the world condition gets worse, related feelings will escalate.

When asked where this support could be improved the most, Jessica referred to younger generations and the education space. “I regularly question,” she explains, “How can we support young people in building psychological resilience skills in climate change? How can we encourage interesting learning on the topic of planet health in ways that can build agency and action while also supporting wellbeing?”

There is already a mental health crisis among young people, so this issue has only heightened an existing challenge. “Climate change is exacerbating and worsening that burden.” The reality of this crisis is that it always falls on the youngest. Growing up is a challenge as it is. The layer of this crisis has made the possibility of dreams difficult and almost unattainable. Resilience is required to face these challenges. “They [younger generations] are competent and knowledgeable, and this can be a great career opportunity for them. They can use their skills to add value to this field and contribute to making the world a better place. Studies have shown that climate activism can be a source of meaningfulness, but it is also essential to take care of your emotional well-being and seek help when needed,” Simon describes. If not, it can lead to burnout, the same studies show.

“I find working in this space very energising”, adds Jessica, when asked how she personally copes with the strain of this global crisis, “I am empowered by being a part of this work, especially connecting with other people who are collectively working to address this huge, scary thing that we’re living through. I came to this work from my own feelings of distress and emotions around climate change being really hard to cope with and manage. I have found that working in this sector is very helpful in gaining control over those emotions. Nonetheless, although I am working in line with my values, it comes with many challenges because you’re in touch with very psychologically difficult content often, and that can be hard to cope with.” Jessica continues. “The overarching aim of our project Connecting Climate Minds’ she elaborates, ‘is to not only pinpoint research needs but also amass a repository of initiatives of really good work happening that other people can learn from, and foster stronger connections in this field” people as young individuals, indigenous groups, farmers, artists, curators, fishers people, and so many others.

The climate crisis is an international issue that unites us as a population; how we respond as a group is informed by our understanding of the land that we live on and from. “These experiences are felt so differently across different contexts. Climate and mental health both intersect with colonialism and structural or systemic injustices.” Explains Jessica. The emotional responses that we have around this [climate crisis] are deeply intertwined with the historical context that people are living in – for example, emotions like guilt may be felt in Global North countries but not in Global South countries that have contributed the least to the climate crisis yet experience it’s worst effects “we need to ensure research is culturally relevant and context-dependent. We need to work together globally to address historical and current challenges in research, to develop research approaches that are decolonial, solutions-focused and that can learn from many different ways of knowing, doing and doing across cultures and contexts. Bringing this research to a human-centred level through emotion, not necessarily solely data, might help with these approaches. Simon continues concerning his ongoing work: “Many experts focus on technical solutions like windmills and green energy, but they often lack an understanding of people.” By using our knowledge of human behaviour and well-being, we can create more relevant buildings, cities, theories, research, etc..” This offers a much better value proposition to customers and project developers in these fields and the population as a whole. “That’s our mission”, Simon notes, “to create regenerative and environmentally sustainable well-being for all”. And “to find ways to communicate that motivates, engages, and fosters positive emotions rather than feelings of powerlessness or anxiety often associated with climate communication.”

There is an opportunity to draw together all voices, mediums and expertise because the fear of this crisis is international; it threatens all fields, all people, perhaps some more than others, but realistically, all. To share these stories is significant in understanding the interconnectedness of our humanity with this growing issue. Preventing the worsening of the climate crisis requires an understanding of the human response. It demands that we connect to individuals on a deeper level. “Climate change is a scientific fact, and we need to understand its severity not just with our minds but also with our hearts and souls ”, Simon explains.“Therefore, we must internalise the magnitude of the issue so that it becomes a part of our daily consciousness and helps us prepare for the difficult future ahead.” Arts and culture, for example, can transcend the mundane and reach into the depths of our emotions, where statistics and numbers fall short. “It is crucial to consider all aspects of a person’s daily life”, he concludes, “including what they touch, see, hear, move around, and talk about; our surroundings impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. We must ensure that our actions do not conflict but rather support one another.” By combining precise knowledge from science with careful communication and behavioural expertise, we can move individuals and organisations in a good direction for both people and the planet.

How can we learn from these emotions towards our planetary climate crisis to be an active part of a positive momentum in healing this relationship?

We can understand that our response is entirely natural and logical. We can learn that this crisis cannot burden only a few, but rather, it unites our entire population. To engage in these conversations, we must remember what we are hoping to save. “For me, I try to spend as much time in nature as possible,” says Jessica. Exercise and spend time with people who give you good energy; these things are crucial to happiness and, consequently, mental health and well-being. Which will, in turn, reflect on your engagement with the climate crisis.” Simon reflects on this in his day-to-day life, “I believe that expressing emotions through work is important; I dislike unnecessary consumerism and excess, so it’s easy for me to cut back”, he adds. More importantly, Simon notes, “I do not believe in moralising and pushing people into making changes, at least not as the main motivation.” The act of caring is something that we must visit within ourselves. The ability to be decisive, “voluntary decision-making”, explains Simon, is attained through emotional engagement with an idea, to understanding quite simply that to care for the planet is to care for ourselves.