Climate change is not just an environmental or economic issue; it is an undeniable driver of mental health challenges. As the planet warms and extreme weather events become more frequent, vulnerable populations - mostly in developing countries of the Global South - bear a disproportionate emotional toll. Understanding who suffers the most, and why, is critical for developing targeted interventions to mitigate these mental health impacts.
Youth and young adults are at the forefront of experiencing the emotional toll of climate change. A growing body of research highlights the prevalence of eco-anxiety among younger generations, characterised by persistent worry about environmental degradation and its implications for the future. For example, a 2021 global survey found that 59% of respondents aged 16-25 reported feeling extremely or very worried about climate change, with many expressing feelings of betrayal by government inaction (Hickman et al., 2021).
This future-oriented concern often leads to profound existential dread, with youth grappling with questions about whether to pursue education, careers, or even parenthood in an uncertain world. Advocacy and activism can exacerbate these mental health challenges. While engaging in climate movements provides a sense of agency, it also exposes young activists to burnout, as they face resistance and slow progress.
Children represent an additional subgroup that bears significant emotional burdens. They often experience disruptions to their education and development, impacts on food and water security, and malnutrition due to climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. These can cause long-lasting trauma and can leave long-term psychological scars. For example, after Cyclone Idai in Mozambique in 2019, thousands of children were displaced, leaving them without stable education or routines - critical for healthy emotional development. Compounding this is their lack of agency; children rely heavily on adults to ensure their safety, making them uniquely vulnerable to feelings of insecurity and helplessness.
Gender inequities amplify the emotional toll of climate change on women. In many societies, women often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities, leaving them disproportionately affected during and after climate-related disasters. This also includes situations of out-migration of men, where women stay behind and often have to take care of the household, generate income, and look after the elderly and children as well. A study in Bangladesh following Cyclone Sidr found that women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to men, primarily due to the increased burden of maintaining family welfare amidst resource scarcity (Alam and Rahman, 2014). Further, in sub-Saharan Africa, women must walk longer distances to find water during droughts, increasing physical strain and emotional stress (Manandhar et al., 2018).
Moreover, climate-related disasters exacerbate gender-based violence and exploitation. Displacement often forces women into unsafe environments, increasing risks of trafficking and abuse. Women displaced by floods, such as those in Bangladesh, are at heightened risk of abuse in overcrowded shelters, compounding their trauma. Moreover, cultural norms in some regions restrict women’s ability to adapt to climate impacts. In India, for example, widows from communities affected by desertification are often marginalised, deepening their vulnerability. Psychological impacts such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common among survivors of such conditions. Additionally, women also disproportionately face economic losses, as they often work in informal sectors that lack safety nets, further intensifying stress. The intersection of climate vulnerability with social and economic inequities reinforces the need for gender-sensitive approaches to mental health support.
The economic strain associated with rebuilding after disasters often exacerbates women’s mental health challenges. Women in low-income households are less likely to have access to savings or financial resources, further heightening their vulnerability. In agricultural communities, prolonged droughts have led to higher rates of suicide among women due to crop failures and debt burdens, as observed in parts of rural India (Kumar and Chitra, 2020).
Marginalised groups, including low-income communities, Indigenous people, and populations in the Global South, face disproportionately severe consequences of climate change. These groups often lack the resources to adapt or rebuild after climate disasters, leading to prolonged stress and trauma.
For example, after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, low-income communities bore the brunt of the disaster, with many families unable to recover their livelihoods years later. The inability to rebuild homes, access healthcare, or secure stable jobs leaves individuals in chronic stress, contributing to a cycle of mental health challenges. Additionally, these populations frequently experience environmental injustice, such as proximity to industrial pollution, further compounding their mental and physical health burdens. Further, Indigenous communities also suffer disproportionately due to their deep connection with the land. Climate impacts on traditional hunting, fishing, and farming practices disrupt not only livelihoods but also cultural identities. Such disruptions have led to increasing rates of depression and suicide in Indigenous populations, as seen in Arctic communities facing melting sea ice and changing ecosystems (Taylor et al., 2023).
Displacement is another significant contributor to mental health challenges among marginalised populations. The World Bank projects that climate change could displace over 200 million people by 2050 (Rigaud et al., 2021). For example, in the Sundarbans region of India and Bangladesh, rising sea levels have forced thousands of families to migrate, leading to chronic stress and a loss of cultural identity.
The elderly, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and those with disabilities or special needs are particularly susceptible to the physical and emotional toll of extreme weather events. Heatwaves, which have become more frequent due to climate change, disproportionately impact older adults. Extreme weather events such as heat waves pose significant risks, with older adults more likely to suffer from heat stress due to reduced physiological resilience. A study in Australia found that the psychological effects of heat stress, including confusion, anxiety, and despair were prevalent among elderly individuals during prolonged heatwaves (Harvey et al., 2024).
Displacement due to climate disasters poses additional challenges for older adults. Moving away from familiar environments and social networks exacerbates feelings of isolation and loss, which can lead to depression. For example, after Hurricane Harvey in the United States, elderly evacuees reported significant emotional distress, compounded by mobility issues and the lack of tailored mental health resources during evacuation and recovery (Bozick, 2021).
Furthermore, children are also disproportionately affected by heat stress. Their developing physiology makes them more vulnerable to dehydration, heat stroke, and related health conditions. This vulnerability extends to psychological impacts, as children exposed to extreme heat events are more likely to experience irritability and emotional distress, potentially affecting their long-term mental health. In regions like South Asia, where temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, both groups face significant physical and psychological strain. Parents often report heightened anxiety about their children’s safety during heatwaves, adding to the emotional burden.
Several systemic and societal factors amplify the emotional toll of climate change on vulnerable populations. Addressing these factors is crucial for mitigating mental health impacts.
The pervasive coverage of climate disasters in media has a dual-edged impact. While raising awareness, it can also amplify fear and despair. The phenomenon of doomscrolling, where individuals consume an endless stream of negative news, exacerbates feelings of hopelessness. Images of wildfires engulfing homes, floods displacing thousands, or droughts destroying crops evoke strong emotional reactions. For instance, during the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, graphic images of burned landscapes and displaced wildlife dominated global media, intensifying public anxiety (Zhang and Yi, 2023). While such coverage galvanised international support, it also left many Australians, particularly those in affected areas, grappling with heightened psychological distress. Striking a balance between raising awareness and fostering hope is critical.
Moreover, social media further amplifies these effects by exposing users to personal stories of loss and suffering, creating a sense of immediacy and shared trauma. While these narratives foster empathy, they also contribute to collective emotional strain, particularly when actionable solutions are unclear or absent.
A significant source of climate-related psychological distress stems from a perceived loss of control. The scale and complexity of climate challenges often leave individuals feeling powerless. Despite growing awareness, many people struggle to reconcile their actions with the systemic changes needed to address the crisis. Thus, the paradox of individual action versus systemic change further complicates this issue. This paradox is particularly evident in wealthier nations, where individuals are bombarded with messages about reducing their carbon footprints while industries and governments lag in implementing large-scale reforms.
The lack of actionable information and community-level guidance exacerbates these feelings of distress, making it difficult for individuals to channel their concerns into meaningful action or to engage in relevant policy processes. Communities often lack clear guidance on how to prepare for or mitigate climate impacts, leaving residents feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. For example, many local governments in the Global South lack resources to implement climate adaptation strategies, leaving communities without clear paths to resilience.
Providing actionable information tailored to local contexts can mitigate this sense of helplessness. Community-led initiatives, such as urban gardening projects in Nairobi or solar cooperatives in rural India, empower individuals and create collective momentum for change.
The financial burdens of climate impacts weigh heavily on mental health. Displacement, loss of livelihoods, lack of financial safety nets, the degradation of natural resources, particularly in agriculture-dependent economies, and rising costs due to climate-related damages can lead to chronic stress. For example, in the Global South, smallholder farmers already vulnerable to poverty face existential threats as changing weather patterns disrupt agriculture. In India, prolonged droughts have led to an alarming rise in farmer suicides, highlighting the devastating intersection of economic strain and mental health (Lawrance et al., 2022).
Political inaction or inconsistent policies further erode public trust and contribute to feelings of despair. Without robust governmental support, vulnerable populations face compounded challenges in rebuilding their lives after disasters, leaving them feeling abandoned and unsupported. Displacement is another significant factor. In Bangladesh, rising sea levels have forced millions to migrate from coastal areas to overcrowded urban slums, where they face precarious living conditions and social marginalisation. The psychological toll of losing one’s home and cultural identity is immense. Advocacy for inclusive policies such as equitable disaster relief and mental health services is essential for addressing these disparities.
The emotional toll of climate change is unevenly distributed, with youth, women, marginalised communities, and the elderly bearing the brunt of the psychological impacts. Contributing factors such as media coverage, perceived loss of control, and economic strain exacerbate these challenges. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions, such as prioritising mental health support in disaster responses, empowering communities with actionable solutions, and advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of vulnerability. By understanding who suffers most and why, we can foster resilience and equity in the face of the climate crisis.
Policymakers, mental health professionals, and community leaders must collaborate to develop comprehensive strategies that integrate mental health support into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. By doing so, we can ensure a more equitable and emotionally sustainable response to the global climate crisis.
Alam, K. and Rahman, M. H. (2014) 'Women in natural disasters: a case study from the southern coastal region of Bangladesh.' International journal of disaster risk reduction, 8 pp. 68-82.
Bozick, R. (2021) 'The effects of Hurricane Harvey on the physical and mental health of adults in Houston.' Health & Place, 72 p. 102697.
Harvey, G., Bain‐Donohue, S. and Dewi, S. P. (2024) 'The impact of extreme heat on older regional and rural Australians: A systematic review.' Australian Journal of Rural Health, 32(2) pp. 216-226.
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.
Kumar, R. and Chitra, K. P. (2020) 'Empowering Women Farmers in the Context of Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra, India.' In Leal Filho, W., Azul, A. M., Brandli, L., Lange Salvia, A. and
Lawrance, E. L., Thompson, R., Newberry Le Vay, J., Page, L. and Jennings, N. (2022) 'The impact of climate change on mental health and emotional wellbeing: a narrative review of current evidence, and its implications.' International Review of Psychiatry, 34(5) pp. 443-498.
Manandhar, M., Hawkes, S., Buse, K., Nosrati, E. and Magar, V. (2018) 'Gender, health and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.' Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 96(9) p. 644.
Rigaud, K. K., de Sherbinin, A., Jones, B., Abu-Ata, N. E. and Adamo, S. (2021) Groundswell Africa: A Deep Dive into Internal Climate Migration in Senegal. World Bank Washington, DC, USA.
Taylor, J. E., Poleacovschi, C. and Perez, M. A. (2023) 'Climate change adaptation trends among Indigenous peoples: a systematic review of the empirical research focus over the last 2 decades.' Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 28(6) p. 29.
Zhang, W. J. and Yi, J. (2023) 'Mediated Fire and Distant Suffering: The Global Spectacle of Australian Bushfires in Nature 2.0.' Environmental Communication, 17(4) pp. 386-406.
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.
Climate change is not just an environmental or economic issue; it is an undeniable driver of mental health challenges. As the planet warms and extreme weather events become more frequent, vulnerable populations - mostly in developing countries of the Global South - bear a disproportionate emotional toll. Understanding who suffers the most, and why, is critical for developing targeted interventions to mitigate these mental health impacts.
Youth and young adults are at the forefront of experiencing the emotional toll of climate change. A growing body of research highlights the prevalence of eco-anxiety among younger generations, characterised by persistent worry about environmental degradation and its implications for the future. For example, a 2021 global survey found that 59% of respondents aged 16-25 reported feeling extremely or very worried about climate change, with many expressing feelings of betrayal by government inaction (Hickman et al., 2021).
This future-oriented concern often leads to profound existential dread, with youth grappling with questions about whether to pursue education, careers, or even parenthood in an uncertain world. Advocacy and activism can exacerbate these mental health challenges. While engaging in climate movements provides a sense of agency, it also exposes young activists to burnout, as they face resistance and slow progress.
Children represent an additional subgroup that bears significant emotional burdens. They often experience disruptions to their education and development, impacts on food and water security, and malnutrition due to climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. These can cause long-lasting trauma and can leave long-term psychological scars. For example, after Cyclone Idai in Mozambique in 2019, thousands of children were displaced, leaving them without stable education or routines - critical for healthy emotional development. Compounding this is their lack of agency; children rely heavily on adults to ensure their safety, making them uniquely vulnerable to feelings of insecurity and helplessness.
Gender inequities amplify the emotional toll of climate change on women. In many societies, women often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities, leaving them disproportionately affected during and after climate-related disasters. This also includes situations of out-migration of men, where women stay behind and often have to take care of the household, generate income, and look after the elderly and children as well. A study in Bangladesh following Cyclone Sidr found that women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to men, primarily due to the increased burden of maintaining family welfare amidst resource scarcity (Alam and Rahman, 2014). Further, in sub-Saharan Africa, women must walk longer distances to find water during droughts, increasing physical strain and emotional stress (Manandhar et al., 2018).
Moreover, climate-related disasters exacerbate gender-based violence and exploitation. Displacement often forces women into unsafe environments, increasing risks of trafficking and abuse. Women displaced by floods, such as those in Bangladesh, are at heightened risk of abuse in overcrowded shelters, compounding their trauma. Moreover, cultural norms in some regions restrict women’s ability to adapt to climate impacts. In India, for example, widows from communities affected by desertification are often marginalised, deepening their vulnerability. Psychological impacts such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common among survivors of such conditions. Additionally, women also disproportionately face economic losses, as they often work in informal sectors that lack safety nets, further intensifying stress. The intersection of climate vulnerability with social and economic inequities reinforces the need for gender-sensitive approaches to mental health support.
The economic strain associated with rebuilding after disasters often exacerbates women’s mental health challenges. Women in low-income households are less likely to have access to savings or financial resources, further heightening their vulnerability. In agricultural communities, prolonged droughts have led to higher rates of suicide among women due to crop failures and debt burdens, as observed in parts of rural India (Kumar and Chitra, 2020).
Marginalised groups, including low-income communities, Indigenous people, and populations in the Global South, face disproportionately severe consequences of climate change. These groups often lack the resources to adapt or rebuild after climate disasters, leading to prolonged stress and trauma.
For example, after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, low-income communities bore the brunt of the disaster, with many families unable to recover their livelihoods years later. The inability to rebuild homes, access healthcare, or secure stable jobs leaves individuals in chronic stress, contributing to a cycle of mental health challenges. Additionally, these populations frequently experience environmental injustice, such as proximity to industrial pollution, further compounding their mental and physical health burdens. Further, Indigenous communities also suffer disproportionately due to their deep connection with the land. Climate impacts on traditional hunting, fishing, and farming practices disrupt not only livelihoods but also cultural identities. Such disruptions have led to increasing rates of depression and suicide in Indigenous populations, as seen in Arctic communities facing melting sea ice and changing ecosystems (Taylor et al., 2023).
Displacement is another significant contributor to mental health challenges among marginalised populations. The World Bank projects that climate change could displace over 200 million people by 2050 (Rigaud et al., 2021). For example, in the Sundarbans region of India and Bangladesh, rising sea levels have forced thousands of families to migrate, leading to chronic stress and a loss of cultural identity.
The elderly, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and those with disabilities or special needs are particularly susceptible to the physical and emotional toll of extreme weather events. Heatwaves, which have become more frequent due to climate change, disproportionately impact older adults. Extreme weather events such as heat waves pose significant risks, with older adults more likely to suffer from heat stress due to reduced physiological resilience. A study in Australia found that the psychological effects of heat stress, including confusion, anxiety, and despair were prevalent among elderly individuals during prolonged heatwaves (Harvey et al., 2024).
Displacement due to climate disasters poses additional challenges for older adults. Moving away from familiar environments and social networks exacerbates feelings of isolation and loss, which can lead to depression. For example, after Hurricane Harvey in the United States, elderly evacuees reported significant emotional distress, compounded by mobility issues and the lack of tailored mental health resources during evacuation and recovery (Bozick, 2021).
Furthermore, children are also disproportionately affected by heat stress. Their developing physiology makes them more vulnerable to dehydration, heat stroke, and related health conditions. This vulnerability extends to psychological impacts, as children exposed to extreme heat events are more likely to experience irritability and emotional distress, potentially affecting their long-term mental health. In regions like South Asia, where temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, both groups face significant physical and psychological strain. Parents often report heightened anxiety about their children’s safety during heatwaves, adding to the emotional burden.
Several systemic and societal factors amplify the emotional toll of climate change on vulnerable populations. Addressing these factors is crucial for mitigating mental health impacts.
The pervasive coverage of climate disasters in media has a dual-edged impact. While raising awareness, it can also amplify fear and despair. The phenomenon of doomscrolling, where individuals consume an endless stream of negative news, exacerbates feelings of hopelessness. Images of wildfires engulfing homes, floods displacing thousands, or droughts destroying crops evoke strong emotional reactions. For instance, during the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020, graphic images of burned landscapes and displaced wildlife dominated global media, intensifying public anxiety (Zhang and Yi, 2023). While such coverage galvanised international support, it also left many Australians, particularly those in affected areas, grappling with heightened psychological distress. Striking a balance between raising awareness and fostering hope is critical.
Moreover, social media further amplifies these effects by exposing users to personal stories of loss and suffering, creating a sense of immediacy and shared trauma. While these narratives foster empathy, they also contribute to collective emotional strain, particularly when actionable solutions are unclear or absent.
A significant source of climate-related psychological distress stems from a perceived loss of control. The scale and complexity of climate challenges often leave individuals feeling powerless. Despite growing awareness, many people struggle to reconcile their actions with the systemic changes needed to address the crisis. Thus, the paradox of individual action versus systemic change further complicates this issue. This paradox is particularly evident in wealthier nations, where individuals are bombarded with messages about reducing their carbon footprints while industries and governments lag in implementing large-scale reforms.
The lack of actionable information and community-level guidance exacerbates these feelings of distress, making it difficult for individuals to channel their concerns into meaningful action or to engage in relevant policy processes. Communities often lack clear guidance on how to prepare for or mitigate climate impacts, leaving residents feeling unprepared and overwhelmed. For example, many local governments in the Global South lack resources to implement climate adaptation strategies, leaving communities without clear paths to resilience.
Providing actionable information tailored to local contexts can mitigate this sense of helplessness. Community-led initiatives, such as urban gardening projects in Nairobi or solar cooperatives in rural India, empower individuals and create collective momentum for change.
The financial burdens of climate impacts weigh heavily on mental health. Displacement, loss of livelihoods, lack of financial safety nets, the degradation of natural resources, particularly in agriculture-dependent economies, and rising costs due to climate-related damages can lead to chronic stress. For example, in the Global South, smallholder farmers already vulnerable to poverty face existential threats as changing weather patterns disrupt agriculture. In India, prolonged droughts have led to an alarming rise in farmer suicides, highlighting the devastating intersection of economic strain and mental health (Lawrance et al., 2022).
Political inaction or inconsistent policies further erode public trust and contribute to feelings of despair. Without robust governmental support, vulnerable populations face compounded challenges in rebuilding their lives after disasters, leaving them feeling abandoned and unsupported. Displacement is another significant factor. In Bangladesh, rising sea levels have forced millions to migrate from coastal areas to overcrowded urban slums, where they face precarious living conditions and social marginalisation. The psychological toll of losing one’s home and cultural identity is immense. Advocacy for inclusive policies such as equitable disaster relief and mental health services is essential for addressing these disparities.
The emotional toll of climate change is unevenly distributed, with youth, women, marginalised communities, and the elderly bearing the brunt of the psychological impacts. Contributing factors such as media coverage, perceived loss of control, and economic strain exacerbate these challenges. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions, such as prioritising mental health support in disaster responses, empowering communities with actionable solutions, and advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of vulnerability. By understanding who suffers most and why, we can foster resilience and equity in the face of the climate crisis.
Policymakers, mental health professionals, and community leaders must collaborate to develop comprehensive strategies that integrate mental health support into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. By doing so, we can ensure a more equitable and emotionally sustainable response to the global climate crisis.
