Climate Anxiety in BC Coastal Communities

As global temperatures rise, more and more we are hearing about the melting of polar ice caps and the impact on sea levels globally. King tides and atmospheric rivers have caused unprecedented coastal flooding over the past few years. Research has shown that living in a coastal community can result in higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and stress.

Defining Climate Anxiety

Climate anxiety differs from general anxiety as it relates to specific events or experiences. Folks report experiencing a heightened state of anxiousness, as well as guilt, grief, desperation and feelings of overwhelm in relation to climate change. Climate anxiety can also be referred to as eco-anxiety.

A 2020 study showed that over two-thirds of participants aged 18-24 experience climate anxiety, and this figure is only increasing. In addition to actual climate events, the way these are portrayed and communicated about plays a significant role. The mainstream media seems to have adopted a clickbait style of reporting, focusing on apocalyptic style coverage designed to provoke panic and fear, with a clear negativity bias.

Coastal Vulnerability to Climate Change

Many communities in British Columbia were built around ports, and much of our population is concentrated in coastal regions. We have already seen the impacts of flooding, causing communities to be temporarily cut off from resources and supplies in the event of climate disasters. Many communities have limited access, and roads damaged by floodwaters can have long-lasting impacts. Emergency services, access to healthcare and schooling, and even utility services can be significantly impacted, leaving communities vulnerable. In addition, flooding can cause sewer systems to fail, exposing people to contaminated water and infectious diseases.

If you live in a coastal community, it is important to prepare for the potential of a flood or climate emergency. Always having supplies on hand, access to fresh water, any medications you may need, as well as basic medical supplies can work to alleviate anxiety. Community initiatives to build relationships, provide training in emergency response, including medical first aid, and other resources can help groups feel more resilient and able to support each other in the face of potential disasters. Knowing there is a plan, that you are not alone, and have support can reduce our fear in the face of these events. Trying to avoid thinking about these issues, in addition to prolonged exposure to climate-related stressors, can have significant impacts on our mental and physical health.

Psychological Impact of Sea-Level Rise

Seeing sea-level rise firsthand can cause a variety of reactions. Folks can experience anger and frustration that action was not taken sooner. Grief is a common response, as individuals may be displaced or lose land with cultural significance to their community. Economic hardship can result, if folks experience significant loss of property. The National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health put out a comprehensive report in 2022 outlining all potential concerns, highlighting the specific impact on Indigenous communities, many of whom have been the caretakers of coastal areas for generations.

Intersections with Environmental Justice

It is necessary to consider climate anxiety from an intersectional lens. Often, those living outside of the global north and Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by sea-level rise. Recent flooding in Pakistan affected over 33 million people. While these communities are heavily affected, the Global North produces the majority of the pollution impacting global temperatures and causing sea-level rise. Many millions of people are displaced annually, while those in other communities have the privilege to continue with their lives as normal. It is important to consider these factors not only when exploring climate justice but also when examining migration policies and the impact on mental health for those feeling trapped in a country facing harsh consequences due to sea-level rise and the climate crisis.

Professional Support and Therapies

Exploring eco-anxiety is still relatively recent in the field of mental health. Providing space to process anxiety, grief, and anger resulting from experiences with the climate crisis is necessary to prevent more significant health consequences. As clinicians, we need to increase our own competency and education around the intersectionality of environmental justice, understanding the unique ways the folks we work with are impacted. Group support or therapy can be particularly helpful to have space for folks to process grief together, share stories about how they have been impacted and also develop a wider community of support. These networks can often lead to activism, which has been found to be healing, as an avenue of reconnecting folks with vision, creativity, and imagination about what could be possible for the future, helping them to move away from the apocalyptic predictions of the mainstream media.