Stop Calling It “Climate Anxiety.” It’s Climate Dread.
Stop Calling It “Climate Anxiety.” It’s Climate Dread.
The phrase “climate dread” better legitimizes the real and tangible threat coming toward us.
Mark Freed experienced growing dread due to the increasing wildfires near his home in California. He felt a sense of helplessness and searched for safer places to live, but still felt disaster was inevitable. Experts define dread as being heavier than anxiety since it involves a tangible threat. With climate change, people dread future extreme events and the consequences of inaction. Constantly focusing on doom and helplessness can cause paralysis. Taking small climate-friendly actions and community support can help transform dread into hope and empowerment. While dread spreads awareness, constant focus on it harms well-being. Therapists recommend acknowledging valid emotions while reconnecting with life's meaningful aspects through nature or hobbies. For Freed, routine and spending time with his dogs now makes life livable despite managed dread.
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Who even called it climate anxiety?
I have heard the term before but what a bizarre article title either way
There's been a lot of articles recently published referring to mental health issues on the rise due to climate anxiety, and the tax it would have on govermnets and insurance companies to treat folks due to it