Climate change has dominated the global landscape over the last twenty years, impacting the world both literally and psychologically. In recent times, escalating fears about the end of the world have deeply affected individuals. The effects of climate change are evident not only on the environment but also on human behaviour and psychology.
For most Americans, the face of climate change is extreme weather and natural disasters. More than 40% of Americans live in a county impacted by a major natural disaster in the last year. In the last seven years, natural disasters cost the United States more than a trillion dollars in damage and more than 5,000 lives were lost.These disasters bring significant upheaval and multiple other kinds of trauma to communities.Over time, inequitable recovery results in stress, disruption of sleep, depression and PTSD rise and often physical symptoms like headaches and GI distress [1].
Climate change can lead to job loss, force people to move, and harm social cohesion and community resources, all of which have mental health consequences. In addition, fear of the phenomenon of climate change and related consequences for our national security and individual well-being can cause significant distress [2] .
In the 2017 Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and Health, authors state: “The human symptoms of climate change are unequivocal and potentially irreversible—affecting the health of populations around the world today”.
Climate change is now an imminent danger instead of a potential threat, and it poses severe consequences for the future. Psychosocial well being refers to the interaction of social and psychological factors that influence human welfare. It is a comprehensive concept that includes mental health, mental health issues, and mental illness.
In the 2017 Lancet Countdown on Climate Change and Health, authors state: “The human symptoms of climate change are unequivocal and potentially irreversible—affecting the health of populations around the world today”.
“Climate change is a future problem. But it is also a past problem and a present problem. It is better thought of as a developing process of long-term deterioration, called, by some psychologists, a “creeping problem.” The lack of a definite beginning, end, or deadline requires that we create our own timeline. Not surprisingly, we do so in ways that remove the compulsion to act. We allow just enough history to make it seem familiar but not enough to create a responsibility for our past emissions. We make it just current enough to accept that we need to do something about it but put it just too far in the future to require immediate action” [4] .
The social impact of ongoing changes is significant, regardless of the distance. Neglecting the social and psychological consequences of environmental changes has led to serious outcomes.
The psychological and social impacts of climate related disasters can take some time to present themselves. While some evidence suggests the incidence and severity of psychological disorders peak within the first 6-12 months following an event such as a flood or hurricane [5] .
Climate change poses significant threats to mental health and well-being, but taking action against it also brings substantial benefits. The challenges presented by climate change offer a pressing chance to create a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.
Even Though numerous studies are in continuation , there are certain questions which remain unanswered like , What are the psychological consequences for future generations who will inherit the impacts of climate change, and how can we support their mental well-being?
ARTICLE BY – Tvisha Patel | Writer @ The Social Digest
