In 2022, catastrophic floods in Pakistan displaced over 20 million people, causing loss of life, and leaving entire communities in ruin. In addition to the loss of lives and property, the psychological toll was staggering; countless individuals experienced acute stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This crisis exemplifies a grim reality - climate disasters do not merely destroy physical infrastructure but deeply disrupt mental health and well-being.
Climate change is not just an environmental and economic issue, it is also a mental health crisis that demands urgent attention. This article explores how beyond economic loss and damage, and physical health, climate change also impacts emotional well-being and mental health globally, uncovering the causes, effects, and coping mechanisms for climate-related psychological challenges.
By exploring the interconnected relationship between climate-induced loss and damage, adaptation measures, and mental health, this work aims to shed light on the psychological toll of climate-related stressors and offer pathways to resilience and healing.
Climate change amplifies multifaceted stressors that affect mental health, such as environmental degradation, sudden-onset disasters, and socio-economic disruptions. These stressors can manifest as chronic worries or acute trauma, creating a cascade of psychological consequences.
Environmental degradation and slow-onset impacts: Rising sea levels, temperature increase, droughts, and melting permafrost contribute to the gradual degradation of natural ecosystems. For example, in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts have destabilised agricultural and pastoralist livelihoods, causing widespread anxiety among farming and pastoralist communities who rely on their traditional knowledge of farming and herding practices and weather patterns. When these patterns become unreliable, the psychological impact is profound, breeding fear and uncertainty about the future.
Sudden-onset disasters: Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which are intensified by climate change, often trigger immediate psychological trauma. For example, the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013 left thousands grappling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression while having to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Sudden disasters not only disrupt lives but also dismantle community networks, intensifying the mental health burden.
Stress from responses to climate change: Responses to climate change, such as forced migration, planned relocation, or shifts in livelihood, generate their stressors. For example, coastal communities in Bangladesh face an increased frequency of displacement due to rising sea levels, often leading to fractured social ties and economic instability. Similarly, the relocation of households and communities out of landslide-prone areas in Sri Lanka can cause strains on their mental health and well-being while disrupting community cohesion. These changes induce chronic stress, as individuals adapt to unfamiliar environments while mourning the loss of their ancestral lands.
Chronic versus acute stress: Climate change fosters both chronic and acute stress. Chronic stress arises from long-term worries about the planet’s future and its impact on personal lives. Acute stress, on the other hand, emerges from direct experiences of disasters. Together, these stressors form a persistent psychological burden that challenges mental resilience.
Eco-anxiety: Eco-anxiety refers to the fear of environmental collapse. A global phenomenon, it disproportionately affects younger generations who perceive the climate crisis as an existential threat. For instance, a 2021 study published in The Lancet found that 59% of young people reported feeling “very worried” about climate change, highlighting its pervasive mental health impact.
Solastalgia: Solastalgia, a term coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht (2005), captures the grief and distress caused by environmental changes in one’s local area. Indigenous communities in the Amazon, for example, experience solastalgia as deforestation erodes their connection to the land, undermining cultural identity and emotional well-being.
Trauma and PTSD: Natural disasters caused or exacerbated by climate change often lead to trauma and PTSD. Whether it is hurricanes in the Caribbean, wildfires in California, or floods in Bangladesh, the trauma of losing homes, loved ones, or entire communities can trigger PTSD. Affected populations include those directly exposed to disasters, such as survivors of the 2020 Super Cyclone Amphan in South Asia, which displaced millions in Bangladesh and India. The shock of losing loved ones, homes, and livelihoods creates profound psychological scars. Additionally, survivors in resource-constrained settings, especially in the Global South, face compounding stressors like inadequate mental health support, increasing the likelihood of prolonged emotional suffering.
Anxiety and fear: The looming threat of climate change fuels generalised anxiety even in those who are not directly affected by disasters. People worry about uncontrollable risks, from sea level rise to food security and future uncertainties. For instance, residents of low-lying Pacific islands live with the constant fear of submersion, leading to pervasive anxiety that affects entire communities; farmers are struggling with risks of drought and erratic weather patterns; or urban dwellers fearing rising temperatures may find themselves consumed by these uncertainties.
Grief and depression: Climate change also triggers grief and depression, particularly as people mourn the loss of biodiversity, habitats, and ecosystems. This emotional toll is especially acute for those who have deep cultural and spiritual connections to the land. The destruction of coral reefs, the extinction of species, and the melting of glaciers represent not just environmental and economic losses and damages but also the erosion of culture, identity, and heritage. Economic and lifestyle disruptions further compound these feelings of hopelessness. Farmers facing failed harvests or individuals forced to abandon ancestral lands often struggle with depression, exacerbated by financial instability and a diminished sense of purpose.
Anger and activism burnout: For many, the slow pace of political action on climate change leads to frustration and anger. Activists, in particular, bear the emotional burden of advocating for change while confronting systemic inertia. This frustration can escalate into burnout, as individuals exhaust themselves in the fight for climate justice. Communities excluded from decision-making processes such as indigenous and marginalised groups also experience heightened distress, feeling powerless to influence policies that directly affect their lives.
Social isolation and community breakdown: Displacement caused by rising sea levels, desertification, and extreme weather events often leads to social isolation. Families and individuals forced to migrate or relocate face the loss of community networks and traditional social safety nets. In some cases, temporary separation of household members exacerbates emotional distress. For example, the planned relocation of entire villages in Alaska due to melting permafrost, while necessary, has disrupted traditional social structures and eroded community cohesion, intensifying emotional distress.
The breakdown of community ties also disrupts the transmission of traditional knowledge. In pastoralist societies, for instance, the inability to predict seasonal changes undermines agricultural practices and livelihoods. This erosion of cultural continuity intensifies feelings of alienation and loss, further impacting mental well-being.
Climate change presents profound challenges for mental and emotional health. From the acute trauma of natural disasters to the chronic stress of adapting to a changing and unstable world, its psychological impacts are vast and varied. Governments, local communities, and individuals all have a role to play in addressing these challenges. Public authorities must integrate mental health support into climate policies by allocating resources for trauma-informed care, community-based mental health programs, and accessible services for those most at risk. There are (intersectional) groups with heightened vulnerability to some of these impacts and often less access to support, i.e., women, children, youth, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Recognising these disparities and ensuring targeted interventions is crucial for building resilience. As we confront the realities of a warming planet, we must prioritise the emotional well-being of its inhabitants. In doing so, we ensure that our responses to climate change are holistic and humane, safeguarding not just the earth but the mental health of all who call it home.
Albrecht, G. (2005) ''Solastalgia'. A new concept in health and identity.' PAN: philosophy activism nature, (3) pp. 41-55.
Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., et al. (2021) 'Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey.' The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12) pp. e863-e873.
Shukla, A. R., Skea, J., Reisinger, A., Slade, R., Fradera, R., Pathak, M., Al Khourdajie, A., Belkacemi, M., et al. (2022) 'Summary for policymakers.'
Tschakert, P., Ellis, N. R., Anderson, C., Kelly, A. and Obeng, J. (2019) 'One thousand ways to experience loss: A systematic analysis of climate-related intangible harm from around the world.' Global Environmental Change, 55 pp. 58-72.
Sandaru has over six years of experience in research, urban planning and development, and digital technologies, with key roles in both academia and public sector projects. She holds research concerns in the interrogation of human-environment interactions. In particular, she is interested in the application of digital technologies such as GIScience and VR, and advanced quantitative methodologies to investigate perceptions of criminal risk, perceptions of safety, and the fear of crime and crime prevention through environmental design. She also holds a growing interest in climate resilience research and measuring the emotional impact of climate manifestations. She has contributed to high-impact projects such as the Ageing in Place Pathfinder with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and has held academic roles at the Manchester School of Architecture. Sandaru holds a PhD in Urban Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University, an MSc in Geographical Information Science from The University of Manchester, and a BSc (Hons) in Town and Country Planning from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. She has published her work in international journals, including Energy Policy, and presented at numerous global conferences.
In 2022, catastrophic floods in Pakistan displaced over 20 million people, causing loss of life, and leaving entire communities in ruin. In addition to the loss of lives and property, the psychological toll was staggering; countless individuals experienced acute stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This crisis exemplifies a grim reality - climate disasters do not merely destroy physical infrastructure but deeply disrupt mental health and well-being.
Climate change is not just an environmental and economic issue, it is also a mental health crisis that demands urgent attention. This article explores how beyond economic loss and damage, and physical health, climate change also impacts emotional well-being and mental health globally, uncovering the causes, effects, and coping mechanisms for climate-related psychological challenges.
By exploring the interconnected relationship between climate-induced loss and damage, adaptation measures, and mental health, this work aims to shed light on the psychological toll of climate-related stressors and offer pathways to resilience and healing.
Climate change amplifies multifaceted stressors that affect mental health, such as environmental degradation, sudden-onset disasters, and socio-economic disruptions. These stressors can manifest as chronic worries or acute trauma, creating a cascade of psychological consequences.
Environmental degradation and slow-onset impacts: Rising sea levels, temperature increase, droughts, and melting permafrost contribute to the gradual degradation of natural ecosystems. For example, in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa, erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts have destabilised agricultural and pastoralist livelihoods, causing widespread anxiety among farming and pastoralist communities who rely on their traditional knowledge of farming and herding practices and weather patterns. When these patterns become unreliable, the psychological impact is profound, breeding fear and uncertainty about the future.
Sudden-onset disasters: Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which are intensified by climate change, often trigger immediate psychological trauma. For example, the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013 left thousands grappling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression while having to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Sudden disasters not only disrupt lives but also dismantle community networks, intensifying the mental health burden.
Stress from responses to climate change: Responses to climate change, such as forced migration, planned relocation, or shifts in livelihood, generate their stressors. For example, coastal communities in Bangladesh face an increased frequency of displacement due to rising sea levels, often leading to fractured social ties and economic instability. Similarly, the relocation of households and communities out of landslide-prone areas in Sri Lanka can cause strains on their mental health and well-being while disrupting community cohesion. These changes induce chronic stress, as individuals adapt to unfamiliar environments while mourning the loss of their ancestral lands.
Chronic versus acute stress: Climate change fosters both chronic and acute stress. Chronic stress arises from long-term worries about the planet’s future and its impact on personal lives. Acute stress, on the other hand, emerges from direct experiences of disasters. Together, these stressors form a persistent psychological burden that challenges mental resilience.
Eco-anxiety: Eco-anxiety refers to the fear of environmental collapse. A global phenomenon, it disproportionately affects younger generations who perceive the climate crisis as an existential threat. For instance, a 2021 study published in The Lancet found that 59% of young people reported feeling “very worried” about climate change, highlighting its pervasive mental health impact.
Solastalgia: Solastalgia, a term coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht (2005), captures the grief and distress caused by environmental changes in one’s local area. Indigenous communities in the Amazon, for example, experience solastalgia as deforestation erodes their connection to the land, undermining cultural identity and emotional well-being.
Trauma and PTSD: Natural disasters caused or exacerbated by climate change often lead to trauma and PTSD. Whether it is hurricanes in the Caribbean, wildfires in California, or floods in Bangladesh, the trauma of losing homes, loved ones, or entire communities can trigger PTSD. Affected populations include those directly exposed to disasters, such as survivors of the 2020 Super Cyclone Amphan in South Asia, which displaced millions in Bangladesh and India. The shock of losing loved ones, homes, and livelihoods creates profound psychological scars. Additionally, survivors in resource-constrained settings, especially in the Global South, face compounding stressors like inadequate mental health support, increasing the likelihood of prolonged emotional suffering.
Anxiety and fear: The looming threat of climate change fuels generalised anxiety even in those who are not directly affected by disasters. People worry about uncontrollable risks, from sea level rise to food security and future uncertainties. For instance, residents of low-lying Pacific islands live with the constant fear of submersion, leading to pervasive anxiety that affects entire communities; farmers are struggling with risks of drought and erratic weather patterns; or urban dwellers fearing rising temperatures may find themselves consumed by these uncertainties.
Grief and depression: Climate change also triggers grief and depression, particularly as people mourn the loss of biodiversity, habitats, and ecosystems. This emotional toll is especially acute for those who have deep cultural and spiritual connections to the land. The destruction of coral reefs, the extinction of species, and the melting of glaciers represent not just environmental and economic losses and damages but also the erosion of culture, identity, and heritage. Economic and lifestyle disruptions further compound these feelings of hopelessness. Farmers facing failed harvests or individuals forced to abandon ancestral lands often struggle with depression, exacerbated by financial instability and a diminished sense of purpose.
Anger and activism burnout: For many, the slow pace of political action on climate change leads to frustration and anger. Activists, in particular, bear the emotional burden of advocating for change while confronting systemic inertia. This frustration can escalate into burnout, as individuals exhaust themselves in the fight for climate justice. Communities excluded from decision-making processes such as indigenous and marginalised groups also experience heightened distress, feeling powerless to influence policies that directly affect their lives.
Social isolation and community breakdown: Displacement caused by rising sea levels, desertification, and extreme weather events often leads to social isolation. Families and individuals forced to migrate or relocate face the loss of community networks and traditional social safety nets. In some cases, temporary separation of household members exacerbates emotional distress. For example, the planned relocation of entire villages in Alaska due to melting permafrost, while necessary, has disrupted traditional social structures and eroded community cohesion, intensifying emotional distress.
The breakdown of community ties also disrupts the transmission of traditional knowledge. In pastoralist societies, for instance, the inability to predict seasonal changes undermines agricultural practices and livelihoods. This erosion of cultural continuity intensifies feelings of alienation and loss, further impacting mental well-being.
Climate change presents profound challenges for mental and emotional health. From the acute trauma of natural disasters to the chronic stress of adapting to a changing and unstable world, its psychological impacts are vast and varied. Governments, local communities, and individuals all have a role to play in addressing these challenges. Public authorities must integrate mental health support into climate policies by allocating resources for trauma-informed care, community-based mental health programs, and accessible services for those most at risk. There are (intersectional) groups with heightened vulnerability to some of these impacts and often less access to support, i.e., women, children, youth, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Recognising these disparities and ensuring targeted interventions is crucial for building resilience. As we confront the realities of a warming planet, we must prioritise the emotional well-being of its inhabitants. In doing so, we ensure that our responses to climate change are holistic and humane, safeguarding not just the earth but the mental health of all who call it home.
