How climate change is impacting mental health

Wednesday, 20 August 2025

Many of us are increasingly aware, and concerned, about the impact of climate change on wildlife, our environment, and the planet as a whole. Predictions for the global impact of climate change if action is not taken can be anxiety inducing, especially as such a small percentage of emissions are created by UK households, which can make it hard for individuals to feel able to contribute effectively to positive change.

Whether it’s the resulting anxiety of climate change or physical changes to our health and the spaces around us, study into the impact of the climate on individual mental wellbeing is essential for creating space for intervention and care. This article highlights some of the facts we already know about this impact and what it could mean for us as a provider.

What is climate change?
What are the effects of climate change?
What is the impact of climate change on physical health?
How we see these effects in everyday life
What is the impact of climate change on mental health?
How can we reduce climate anxiety?

What is climate change?

Climate change is the long-term shift in the temperatures and resulting weather conditions on Earth, accelerated by a variety of factors including CO2 emissions. While climate change occurs naturally over time, there has been rapid warming over the past century which can only be attributed to human activity. At present, carbon dioxide levels are at the highest they’ve been for an estimated 800,000 years.

Human activities that contribute to climate change are:

Burning fossil fuels, which release CO2 and other gasses into the atmosphere.
Deforestation, which prevents trees from removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Agriculture, as large amounts of grazing animals create CO2 emissions.
Landfill, as biodegradable waste such as food, paper and card release methane when disposed of in this way.

What are the effects of climate change?

One of the key effects of climate change is more extreme weather globally. This can be heavier rainfall and increased flooding, heatwaves and drought that contribute to wildfires, and warmer oceans that fuel more intense storms and even hurricanes.

How extreme weather impacts us:

Droughts can impact resources including food and water, with millions of people impacted by the resulting risk of famine, scarcity, and loss of livelihood.
Wildfires can impact air quality, destroy homes and livestock or crops, and cause loss of human life. The cost of emergency services and restoration can also have a large impact on the economy.
Flooding can cause loss of life and severe injury, damage to property, and impacts people’s livelihoods. The cost of restoration after a flood can be huge both for individuals and the larger economy.
Hurricanes can cause loss of life and long-term health concerns, destruction of buildings and environments, and long-term displacement of people from their homes and communities. Emergency response and restoration are extremely costly and have a long-term impact on the economy.
More extreme temperatures both hot and cold can increase mortality rates, impacting vulnerable populations.

Natural disasters and extreme weather activity like those listed above also impact wildlife, causing death and disruption to animals as well as the ecosystems they live in. This can reduce biodiversity in areas and endangers animal populations.

What is the impact of climate change on physical health?

Alongside the effects outlined above, climate change poses a threat to physical health, contributing to a range of health concerns in less direct ways. Climate-related factors such as heatwaves, floods, and poor air quality are already increasing rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in the UK and globally, impacting quality of life. Diseases such as malaria and tick-borne illnesses are also expanding into new regions as warming temperatures allow for spread and infection.

These physical health impacts are closely linked with mental health outcomes. Exposure to the stress of managing health conditions worsened by climate change can lead to psychological distress. Research reviewing over 90 systematic studies confirms that climate change impacts infectious, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological disease.

How we see these effects in everyday life

Alongside those experiencing these natural disasters and health impacts first-hand, the 24-hour news cycle online means that many of us are exposed to updates about these issues every day. While staying up to date with what is happening around the world can be important, it can also be overwhelming.

Many of us will be able to conjure images of children suffering in drought, destruction to areas hit by hurricanes and storms, animals being displaced and rescued due to wildfires, or arctic animals being impacted by the loss of habitat. Exposure to these images and the narratives can cause trauma despite how necessary their educational impact feels.

What is the impact of climate change on mental health?

Alongside the trauma and mental health impact of the effects of climate change that people experience first-hand such as poor health or natural disaster, climate change as a wider concern can affect mental health, impacting levels of anxiety and depression. Ecoanxiety is characterised as a ‘chronic fear of environmental doom’, with this specific manifestation of anxiety having a direct link to the climate.

While some feel that this awareness and anxiety to a degree is a healthy response to climate change as it requires human response, it can also lead to experiences such as panic attacks, irritability, depression, PTSD, sleep concerns, loss of appetite, or unhealthy coping strategies such as substance misuse. For this reason, understanding the difference between a regular level of concern and a larger mental health toll is important.

How can we reduce climate anxiety?

Like with all areas of the news and research that can impact our mental health, ensuring a healthy amount of consumption is essential. Those most at risk of climate anxiety include those who experience it first-hand and those who are most exposed to information such as climate scientists and activists. Taking breaks where necessary and seeking support when you feel overwhelmed can make a difference.

Research has also found that spending time in nature, often referred to as green and blue spaces, can improve mental wellbeing. Activities that help a person to feel connected to nature such as gardening, going for walks, litter picking, and growing their own fruit and vegetables can have a positive impact on ecoanxiety. It can also be beneficial to be active in making positive changes such as spreading awareness of climate change, getting involved in campaign groups, or supporting climate-conscious activities.