At Green Mind, we’ve always believed that environmental issues aren’t just something to be talked about at conferences or within the confines of social media. Climate change is a lived experience, and its impact reaches far beyond rising temperatures and melting ice caps—it seeps into our minds, our emotions, and our day-to-day lives. To understand how deeply these concerns are affecting people, our team took to the streets of downtown Toronto to hear directly from those living with a new and growing fear: climate anxiety.
Over the course of a week, our team interviewed more than 25 individuals from all walks of life. Armed with nothing more than a camera, a microphone, and a desire to listen, we asked a simple yet powerful question: How does climate change affect your mental health? The answers were raw, emotional, and often heartbreaking, shedding light on the profound psychological toll this crisis is taking on everyday people.
What is Climate Anxiety?
Before diving into the personal stories, it’s essential to understand what climate anxiety really is. Sometimes called eco-anxiety, it refers to a feeling of overwhelming dread about the state of the planet and its future. It’s not just worry—it’s an emotional weight carried by those who understand the gravity of ecological collapse. While not yet classified as a clinical disorder, climate anxiety is increasingly recognized by mental health professionals as a legitimate psychological phenomenon (Clayton & Karazsia, 2020; APA, 2023).
Studies show that young people, in particular, are experiencing elevated levels of climate anxiety. A global study by Hickman et al. (2021) revealed that more than half of youth surveyed believed that “humanity is doomed,” and a significant number felt betrayed by government inaction. These emotional responses aren’t irrational—they stem from a rational recognition of a real and escalating threat.
A City in Fear: The Voices of Downtown Toronto
As we wandered through Toronto’s iconic neighborhoods—Yonge-Dundas Square, Queen Street West, and Kensington Market—we spoke to people who opened up about how climate change has impacted their mental well-being.
Helplessness and Fear in the Face of an Overwhelming Crisis
One of the most recurring feelings expressed by interviewees was helplessness. Many described how they felt informed but powerless—aware of the problem yet unable to influence its outcome meaningfully.
This aligns with literature showing that perceived lack of control over large-scale issues like climate change intensifies anxiety (Pihkala, 2020). Constant exposure to climate news, while informative, can also become emotionally exhausting and mentally paralyzing (Ojala, 2012).
Parental Guilt and Generational Concerns
Parents we spoke with described a particular form of climate anxiety centered on guilt and concern for their children’s futures. This is echoed in research highlighting intergenerational eco-anxiety, where caregivers and young adults experience distress about the deteriorating world future generations may inherit (Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018; Burke et al., 2018).
The emotional burden of this form of anxiety is significant, often compounded by feelings of responsibility and fear that current efforts may be too little, too late.
Moreover, many young adults told us they were reconsidering whether to have children at all—a sentiment that has gained attention in academic literature (Schneider-Mayerson & Leong, 2020).
Activism as a Coping Mechanism
Despite the emotional weight of climate anxiety, many individuals described activism as a powerful coping mechanism. Engaging in collective climate action has been shown to foster a sense of purpose, reduce feelings of helplessness, and improve psychological resilience (Verplanken et al., 2020).
Jessica and Michael’s stories mirror those findings. Whether through public protests or personal lifestyle changes, these efforts help individuals shift from anxiety to agency—transforming fear into motivation and burnout into belonging (Clayton et al., 2017).
Climate Anxiety is Real, and It’s Deeply Personal
After speaking to nearly 100 Torontonians, it became clear that climate anxiety is a deeply personal and emotional experience that affects how people live, plan, and think about the future. It shapes their relationships, their identities, and their dreams.
Whether through activism, community building, or simple acknowledgment of shared fear, we must start treating climate anxiety as a pressing mental health issue, not just a byproduct of environmental concern.
By collecting and amplifying these stories, we hope to spark a broader conversation around mental health and climate change. Because to fight for the planet effectively, we must also care for the minds and hearts of the people who call it home.
References
American Psychological Association. (2023). Climate anxiety. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/04/climate-anxiety
Burke, S. E. L., Sanson, A. V., & Van Hoorn, J. (2018). The psychological effects of climate change on children. Current Psychiatry Reports, 20(5), 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0896-9
Clayton, S., & Karazsia, B. T. (2020). Development and validation of a measure of climate change anxiety. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 69, 101434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101434
Clayton, S., Manning, C., Krygsman, K., & Speiser, M. (2017). Mental health and our changing climate: Impacts, implications, and guidance. American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica.
Cunsolo, A., & Ellis, N. R. (2018). Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss. Nature Climate Change, 8, 275–281. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0092-2
Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C., & van Susteren, L. (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), e863–e873. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00278-3
Ojala, M. (2012). Regulating worry, promoting hope: How do children, adolescents, and young adults cope with climate change? International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 7(4), 537–561.
Pihkala, P. (2020). Eco-anxiety and environmental education. Sustainability, 12(23), 10149. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310149
Schneider-Mayerson, M., & Leong, C. (2020). Eco-reproductive concerns in the age of climate change. Climatic Change, 163(2), 1007–1023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02923-y
Verplanken, B., Marks, E., & Dobson, K. (2020). The emotional impact of environmental activism: Findings from a survey of climate activists in the UK. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 72, 101518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101518
Written By:
Inaam Chattha
