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⛈ Direct impacts

Localized impacts (i.e. extreme weather / natural disasters), where the relation to climate change is not always clear to those impacted. Proximity to such events moderates the impact of climate change on mental health. People tend to use personal experiences as a baseline for environmental health and fail to recognize environmental degradation over time.

📺 Indirect impacts

Time-delayed, abstract understanding of the global risk of climate change, primarily consumed through media. Can invoke strong emotional responses that can inspire lifestyle change, or lead to denial/apathy. This is also moderated by social norms - if people around you sound the alarm about climate, you are likely to sound the alarm as well.

🙂 Positive impacts

• Eco-guilt: self-perceived shortfall in one's own standard of conduct with regard to climate (optimistically labeling this "positive" as it can inspire change in behavior)
  • It's important to distinguish between guilt and shame - people may not like feeling guilty, but are more likely to act than when feeling shame
• Heightened conscience or feeling of contentedness and competence when taking personal responsibility for lifestyle change and stimulating awareness/behavior change in others
• The challenges presented by climate change encourage creativity and inspires innovation in how we might address these challenges
• Personal psychological benefits may be derived from taking action to address climate change, even if the impact of these actions is minimal or nonexistent

😔 Negative impacts

• Direct and indirect impacts can lead to grief, despair, fear, anxiety, sense of loss
  • Often leads to denial/apathy - an emotional response preventing individuals from engaging with the threat and educating themselves
• Eco-anxiety: anxiety stemming from risks of climate change; worry about risks that are not immediately significant (i.e. ice cap melt vs. motor vehicle accident)
  • Anxiety can lead to panic attacks, loss of appetite, irritability, sleeplessness
• Increase in temperature is associated with increase in violence
• Decreased access to thriving ecosystems negatively impacts mental health
• Disproportionate impact on those of less economic privilege/social status