Eco-Anxiety in Children and Young People–A Rational Response, Irreconcilable Despair, or Both?

Abstract

This paper will present research and clinical material exploring how eco-anxiety can be felt and thought about by children and young people. It will then discuss the importance of understanding the range of climate anxiety found in practice ranging from mild to medium to significant, severe, and critical climate distress. Frequently eco-anxiety is perceived as a singular emotional and cognitive experience, and all too often seen through adult eyes. This scale drawn from clinical practice attempts to differentiate between the different experiences children and young people can have by drawing on international clinical and research evidence. It will look at the individual, relational, collective, and planetary trauma as experienced by children and young people. The paper will finish with clinical practice considerations.