An Introduction to Eco-Anxiety for Researchers
Training Organisation: Magnetic Ideals
Delivery: Online, one half day
Programme Description:
Eco-anxiety, or as it is also known as climate anxiety, is anxiety experienced as a reaction to the current ecological crisis. Until recently, eco-anxiety and other eco-related emotional reactions have been ignored or subsumed by other more generalised conditions. Despite the rise in research on these issues, there is still a lack of clarity around mental health outcomes. Research from 2021 demonstrates that eco-anger and eco-depression can lead to more collective action, where eco-anxiety disengages people from action.[1]
Reviews of the literature have pointed to a delay in research on climate change and mental health consequences. As our climate crisis worsens with a lack of unified global response there is now a more united call to address these matters as distinct entities. We are now seeing a rise in ecopsychiatry, that tries to understand the complex relationship of all aspects the symbolic loss and hopelessness of the ‘no future’ narrative and responses to weather changes, to the traumatic impacts of lived experiences of environmental destruction, extinction, death and forced migration.
It is essential that researchers in the humanities, social sciences and arts have an understanding of these issues as the climate crisis is having an impact at every level of society. This course will provide researchers with some introductory knowledge and skills to work with eco-anxiety on a personal level and apply it to the context of their research.
A 2022 survey noted that two-thirds of adults (68%) said that they have at least a little “eco-anxiety,” defined as any anxiety or worry about climate change and its effects, but nearly half of those aged 18-34 (47%) say the stress they feel about climate change impacts their daily lives.[2] Research indicates that collective experiences and engaging with climate crises leads to better mental health outcomes as well as being better for the planet.The session will be run by two facilitators, encouraging participants to engage collectively and creatively in relation to the subject matter through interactive online groupwork.
Awareness of eco-anxiety can help combat an issue that leads to overwhelm and burnout in a politically difficult time. This course addresses the causes of anxiety, helping participants to reframe anxiety as a driving force for solving challenges of climate crisis.
As part of this course there will be signposting towards modes of collective care and guidance on how to set up groups such as climate cafes that can be spaces of mutual aid and support. The course is also geared towards encouraging action, and participants will have time to discuss what would be helpful for them moving forward as a cohort.
[1] Samantha K Stanley and others, ‘From Anger to Action: Differential Impacts of Eco-Anxiety, Eco-Depression, and Eco-Anger on Climate Action and Wellbeing’ (2021)
[2] Majority of Adults Believe Climate Change Is Most Important Issue Today’ (https://www.apa.org) <https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/02/climate-change> accessed 24 May 2022.
Learning Outcomes:
As a result of this course, participants will be able to:
Describe the history of eco-anxiety and its contemporary context
Apply knowledge of eco-anxiety to their research practice
Evalute the power of action, activism and resistance in mitigating eco-anxiety
Recognise how collective care can support sustainable activism
Have informed discussions with each other about eco-anxiety and sustainable solutions that are action focused