‘What Happens Next?’: Why Are We So Anxious About Earth?

The world’s heating up – and so is our anxiety.

As the planet grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, the mental and emotional toll it exacts can’t be ignored. This week, Monash University's podcast, What Happens Next?, returns with a new topic – climate anxiety.

Earth has faced existential threats in the past, but never quite like this. Climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is an unprecedented form of anxiety, stemming from the awareness that younger generations will face a future vastly different from the one previous generations enjoyed. How do we wrestle with a planet-sized problem?

Host Dr Susan Carland is joined by Climate Council CEO and Monash University alumna Amanda McKenzie, who defines climate anxiety as a rational concern about our future – or the lack of one.

Climate anxiety affects various demographics, but its impact on young people is especially pronounced. Dr Rhonda Garad, from Monash’s Centre for Health Research and Implementation, co-led a study following Australia’s Black Summer bushfires. Her research found that, concerningly, young people’s fears about the climate are leading them to make major life decisions early, including whether or not to have children of their own.

Dr Susie Ho, Monash’s United Nations Focal Point, is also concerned about young people’s relationship to climate change and their avenues for advocacy. She discusses their feelings of powerlessness and anger stemming from the lack of effective action, which has led to a surge in climate activism, with young voices demanding meaningful change.

Read more: Eco-anxiety and climate change through the eyes of the next generation

It’s easy to draw parallels between the existential threat of Cold War politics and the looming global disaster presented by climate change, but Monash Faculty of Education Professor Alan Reid believes that climate anxiety is distinct due to the sheer size of the problem, in addition to a sense of frustration at government and corporate inaction.

These entities play a significant role in addressing climate anxiety. Unfortunately, as alumna Kelly O'Shanassy, CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation, points out, they often fail to address the scale of the challenge adequately, exacerbating our fears and anxiety.

“The scale of anxiety is big. It's particularly pronounced in young people and it's only escalating.” – Dr Rhonda Garad

Addressing climate anxiety requires a multi-pronged approach. It’s crucial to validate the fears associated with climate change and acknowledge their rationality, but also to recognise that the only thing that will alleviate this growing mental health crisis is meaningful change.

Next week, What Happens Next? will explore strategies to cope with climate anxiety, as well as avenues for inspiring collective action in part two of this series, ‘How Can We Conquer Climate Anxiety?’.  Don’t miss a moment of season eight – subscribe now on your favourite podcast app.

Already a subscriber? You can help other listeners find the show by giving What Happens Next? a rating and review.

Listen to more What Happens Next? podcast episodes