The climate crisis is a topic that has been familiar to all of us for years, with the constant threat of irreversible damage to our planet a source of anxiety for many. With recent years seeing some of the highest temperatures ever recorded, the urgency to take action is more important than ever. Environmental catastrophes such as increasing natural disasters, food insecurity, and extreme weather are common symptoms of the damage inflicted upon Earth. But what are the long-term psychological effects on those who inhabit it?
It is unlikely a coincidence that the climate crisis is coinciding with a dramatic spike in mental health problems. In the past decade, there has been an over 3 million increase in self-reported long-term mental health issues. This huge change is so drastic, that it is difficult to find a solution without first considering societal and political changes that could contribute to its root cause. ‘Eco-anxiety’, also known as ‘climate anxiety’ or ‘climate grief’, refers to the psychological responses experienced by people as a direct result of climate change. With such widespread effects, the scale of this problem can be difficult to measure, but a growing body of researchers are aiming to quantify just how many people experience it.
Rhonda J. Moore’s ‘Climate Change and Mental Health Equity’ explores these themes, with a particular focus on the disproportionate impacts experienced by vulnerable communities. Through the application of a social justice lens, this book discusses how marginalised groups are hit the hardest by climate change-related mental health issues. Different people, places and communities are discussed, providing a platform for diverse global perspectives. The book’s key themes of inequity, psychological harm, and culturally considerate solutions link to SDG targets 3.4 and 3.8.
To address these issues, it is important to first understand the current state of mental health care, and how underfunding creates service barriers for marginalised populations. The additional burden of mental health issues resulting from climate-related stress is estimated to be around $47 billion annually in 2030, with an expectation that this will grow exponentially. Mental health care is around 50 times more accessible in developed countries, with some less economically developed countries (LEDCs) lacking any mental health budget whatsoever.
As mentioned in 'Climate Change and Mental Health Equity', mental health is also less recognised in some populations, which could impact decisions surrounding funding of mental health services. The book also notes how underfunding in other areas can impact mental health conditions, explaining that policy reform should consider factors like housing access, food insecurity, and geographical location of treatment centres.
Geographical location also has a huge impact on a population’s vulnerability – not only in different continents but different areas and the environmental features they have. Proximity to water, coastal ecosystems, deserts, tropical forests and mountains are among the different types of terrain that experience climate change uniquely. Whilst acknowledging the difficulty in quantifying and measuring ‘climate change’ as a factor, the book highlights the geographical, economic and cultural contexts that enable its effects to be amplified. People across the world experience the effects of climate change differently, resulting in disparities in the mental effects on those most and least impacted.
The devastating effects of natural disasters, which are increasing in frequency because of global warming, hit low-income families the hardest. These communities are more likely to be exposed to air pollution, a widespread effect of climate change. Air pollution levels are much higher in areas that rely on polluting industries for economic growth, which tend to be low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, research has shown that low-income families tend to bear the brunt of extreme heatwaves, due to lack of access to air conditioning and a higher ratio of people to rooms.
The psychological harm experienced in the aftermath of a natural disaster or climate change-related event can include feelings of anxiety, despair, hopelessness and distress, and can often lead to long-term issues. This book also points out the heightened emotional connection some populations share with their natural environments, particularly for Tribal and Indigenous communities.
Through the exploration of these socioeconomic and geographical issues, ‘Climate Change and Mental Health Equity’ sheds a light on intergenerational injustices that should be actively worked against, with a particular focus on making resources accessible to all. The rise of climate-related mental health issues, whilst a standalone problem, draws further attention to the critical state of mental health funding, the challenges in quantifying the impact of climate change, and structural injustices that must be considered when developing impactful policies.