The world is dying, or at least that is how it appears, as we witness wildfires and massive storms, as well as extreme weather and severe floods. The impact of global warming is all around us. Forest fires rage in the west. Hurricane Ida has devastated most of south-eastern Louisiana, while areas of New York and New Jersey are recovering from disasterous floods.
If it appears that too many natural catastrophes occur, and that’s because they really are. In the previous 50 years, global warming has contributed to the quintupling of the number of weather-related calamities. Climate change also implies that calamities occur at the same time. These calamities are also becoming harsher. Due to global warming, formerly unthinkable events become amazing realities, weather records are smashed.
Many individuals, therefore, are confronted with what is popularly known as “eco-pity,” a sort of mental wear and tear that results from understanding the terrible facts of climate change and feeling overwhelmed or despairing. In addition, “disaster fatigue” is another form of emotional exhaustion that occurs from the quantity of bad news and frequent crises—like the almost daily headlines of terrible catastrophes.
You aren’t unique if you’re anxious about the planet. A survey by the American Psychiatric Association last year revealed that at least 70% of individuals in the country were rather concerned about how global warming would affect the world, while just over half worried about the impact on mental health.
The consequences of climate change are already exhausting emotionally (and for a lot of those living in the places impacted, it is directly harmful), but sadly these natural catastrophes are aggravating the issue in the context of a continuous worldwide pandemic. Like any mental illness condition, it is advised as far as possible to seek counseling. Fortunately, some therapists are now specializing in anxiety generated by climate issues.
