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The Issue

Recognising that emotions are often what leads people to act, it is possible that feelings of ecological anxiety and grief, although uncomfortable, are in fact the crucible through which humanity must pass to harness the energy and conviction that are needed for the lifesaving changes now required.

The Lancet

Climate change has created a global mental health crisis. Due to both direct (e.g. extreme heat, hurricanes, desertification, displacement) and indirect (knowledge and awareness of the crisis) impacts of the climate crisis, people are experiencing climate emotions and mental health issues.

But, the direct impacts of climate change are not equal. People living in the Global South and predominately communities of color in the United States, who also often face environmental racism, disproportionately are affected by climate change and have less access to resources to address the mental health consequences of systemic environmental racism and climate disasters.

Click here for our resources page.

Hands Together

200 Million 

200 million people in the US are at risk for climate-mental health issues & 64% are worried about climate change.

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40%

40% percent of youth worldwide are hesitant to have children because of climate change. 78% of parents in the US are concerned about the impacts of climate change to their children.

Image by Valentin Müller

9

Only 9 of 95 countries surveyed in 2021 by the World Health Organization have mental health included in their national health and climate programs.

 

Image by Mike Labrum

9,000-40,000

By 2050, 9,000-40,000 more people  in Mexico & the US could die by suicide due to increased temperatures.

Love the World

83%

Image by Jametlene Reskp

30 million

In 2020, 98% of the 30 million people who were displaced worldwide was due to climate-induced extreme weather. 3.4 million people in the US were displaced in 2023 because of climate disasters: 16% never returned home, more commonly amongst lower-income people.

Woman Working in Garden

75%

For 75% of 10,000 university students in 32 countries,  climate anxiety leads to positive environmental behaviors and actions.


 

Image by Johannes Plenio

85%

85% of people worldwide have experienced more extreme weather due to climate  change. 

Wildfire

3

After a deadly California wildfire, people exposed directly and indirectly to the fire showed negative changes to cognition and brain function.

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