How should we react to climate anxiety? This accessible book discusses anxiety and other emotions brought on by climate change, examining what climate anxiety is, why it is becoming so prevalent and how it differs from other types of anxiety.
Written by an expert psychologist, the book examines why climate anxiety is developing so rapidly, particularly in younger people. It looks at how it can manifest differently- sometimes as hopelessness or despair, and sometimes as anger which can serve as a catalyst for action. The book dives into the nuance around climate anxiety, questioning what we can do about it or whether climate anxiety should be pathologized at all, given the very real threat of climate change. It considers cognitive biases that underlie information processing and discusses how politics and interest groups affect people’s views. Seeking to understand the polarisation that occurs around this topic, the book puts forward how we might alleviate climate anxiety without minimising serious concern about climate change.
This highly topical book will be of great interest to students of psychology, environmental science and social science. It will also be of interest to psychologists, mental health professionals and climate communicators, as well as anyone interested in learning more about climate anxiety.
Contents
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE ANXIETY.. 1
Acknowledgments:. 5
PART 1:. 6
The context of climate anxiety. 6
Chapter 1: 7
Introduction: What is climate anxiety?. 7
Chapter 2: 48
Shouldn’t we all have climate anxiety?. 48
Chapter 3: 55
Do helplines actually help us when it comes to climate anxiety?. 55
Chapter 4: 62
Is climate anxiety made worse by other global crises?. 62
Part 2:. 72
Climate anxiety and the brain. 72
Chapter 5: 73
Why can’t people make up their mind about climate change?. 73
Chapter 6: 90
Why don’t we do more?. 90
Chapter 7: 111
Can models of anxiety help us understand climate anxiety?. 111
PART 3: 125
Contesting climate anxiety/contesting climate change. 125
Chapter 8: 126
Why do people claim climate change is fake news?. 126
Chapter 9: 150
How can people stay happy with climate change?. 150
Chapter 10: 166
Is there a stigma surrounding climate anxiety?. 166
PART 4:. 182
Thinking of the future. 182
Chapter 11: 183
New horizons?. 183
References: 210
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