Anxiety

My heartbeat goes up and my stomach tightens when I read climate news.

Anxiety is activating energy, produced in response to a threat or opportunity. It can be energizing or if it’s too strong, it can be paralyzing. Climate threats are huge and hard to control or understand, which produces climate anxiety. It’s important to be able to feel a suitable amount of climate anxiety, so that it sparks us into problem-solving but does not paralyze us.

Question: How to channel climate anxiety constructively?

Action

Give your mind a break

Try creating some boundaries around climate content. Take a walk, make music, exercise, journal, or spend time with people you like. Caring for yourself does not mean you care any less about what is happening.
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Why climate anxiety happens

It can be hard to think about an uncertain future, especially when climate impacts already feel visible. Anxiety often grows when your mind stays focused on what might happen without having a clear way to respond.
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Learn

You are not the only one worrying

A lot of young people think about what climate change could mean for their futures. Hearing how others manage those thoughts can make the anxiety feel less isolating and remind you that you do not have to carry it alone.

Stories

Hear some stories

The Weather Within is not a crisis service, but support is available. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you need immediate emotional support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text HOME or HOLA to 741741 to connect with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line. Support is available 24/7.

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