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LAST REVIEWED 25 November 2024

Climate change and mental health: a London perspective

Good Thinking talks to Dr Daniella Watson from the Climate Cares Centre at Imperial College London about the psychological impact of the climate emergency and provides advice to help Londoners take positive action.

You might have seen even more news and commentary about the climate crisis during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) which took place in Baku in November. Whilst it’s important that we’re all aware of the challenges facing our planet, what if this makes you feel anxious, angry, hopeless or stressed?

You’re not alone. A 2022 survey by the Office for National Statistics found that almost three in four UK adults are worried about climate change. Google searches worldwide related to “climate anxiety” or “eco-anxiety” increased by 4,590% between 2018 and 2023. And, according to a study by the Woodland Trust, one in three young people in Britain are feeling overwhelmed (28%), scared (33%) or sad (34%) about climate change.

Experts are calling for greater investment in supporting mental health in the climate emergency. Thrive LDN has launched the Climate and Mental Health Action Partnership, which aims to create a London in which everyone can take meaningful climate action in their communities while also improving their mental health. Other initiatives include the Climate Cares Centre at Imperial College London, the Climate Minds Coalition and Connecting Climate Minds.

In this article, we talk to Dr Daniella Watson, Research Associate & Health Psychologist at the Climate Cares Centre at Imperial College London. We also include some thoughts from Good Thinking’s Digital Health Ambassadors, reflecting the views of young people on the climate crisis and mental health. And, finally, we provide tips to help you take positive action, as well as links to useful resources.

Thanks for your time, Daniella. Could you please start by telling us a little about Climate Cares?

Climate Cares is a team of researchers, designers, policy experts and educators working to understand and support mental health in the current climate and ecological crises.

It’s our mission to protect mental health and strengthen psychosocial resilience in a changing climate and enable climate action that benefits mental health and wellbeing.

What are the biggest climate concerns facing London right now?

London is experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves, which is made worse due to being a built-up city – this is known as the ‘urban heat island’ effect.

The city is also vulnerable to flooding due to its proximity to the River Thames and low-lying areas, increasingly heavy rainfall, rising sea levels, and being underprepared to prevent it.

Plus, climate change is worsening the air quality in London, making it feel even more polluted.

Lower-income communities in parts of the city that are prone to flooding and pollution and who have limited access to green spaces are more vulnerable to climate change.

How is the climate crisis having an impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing?

In one of Climate Cares’ UK studies, mental health professionals reported a significant increase in the perceived prevalence of mental health problems or emotional distress related to climate change.

To give you two examples, the UK Government's Environment Audit Committee has reported that suicide risk is twice as high in the UK when the temperature is 32°C rather than 22°C.

We also know that having a mental health condition increases the risk of dying during a heatwave by up to three times. When temperatures rise, our bodies and brains have to work harder to cool down, which uses up energy. This extra effort can strain the brain, which directly influences decision-making, thought processes and behaviours.

Children and teenagers are especially worried about their future. What kinds of emotions are they experiencing and what can be done to help them?

Young people are experiencing an array of fluctuating emotions, including anxiety, powerlessness, betrayal and anger. But some also feel hopeful that things can get better.

It’s important for spaces to be created for young people to feel these emotions – they might find it helpful to reflect in a climate-specific guided journal, speak to other young people in climate cafés or take part in climate action in their local communities.

What advice would you give to Londoners to help them cope with climate anxiety and become more resilient?

When we talk to people experiencing the psychological impacts of climate change, the main thing they need is social support and a sense of community.

So, my advice would be to get involved with climate actions in your community and talk to someone about how you are feeling. Doing something for the local environment is a win-win for the community and for your own mental health and wellbeing.

If you need urgent support, there are 24/7 mental health helplines available to help. Insomnia is not uncommon for people with climate anxiety so this is invaluable if you need support during the night.

Our Digital Health Ambassadors programme engages with young Londoners aged 16-25 who help to shape research and policy around mental health across the city. Here are some of their thoughts on this topic and we’ll be publishing a more in-depth article about young people and climate anxiety soon.

“I worry about how people still do not believe in it. And how they do not believe what they do has a negative impact.”

“I see families struggling to afford the extra heating costs during colder spells, and that really highlights the economic divide when it comes to climate change.”

“The population [of London] is so large it is hard to reinforce rules – so many different backgrounds and some people see it as a priority, but others may not.”

“I worry most for those affected now, especially when there is nothing much being done about it most of the time.”

“[It’s important to] take a break from the news sometimes because seeing all the negativity towards climate change can be quite overwhelming.”

“I find that talking about it with friends or family really helps – just sharing how we feel and brainstorming what we can do about it makes me feel less helpless.”

Here at Good Thinking, we often say that the best way to deal with anxiety and stress is to focus on what you can control. It’s especially true in this case as protecting the planet can feel like an impossible task! But any small changes you make will have a huge impact on your wellbeing and the world. Here are some tips to get you started:

Stay active – you could even combine exercise with positive climate action by cycling or walking rather than using your car or public transport.
Connect with other people at a Climate Café, join an online community and create inclusive, safe spaces for your friends so you can talk about your feelings and concerns together.
Incorporate some new habits into your daily life – perhaps you could eat more plant-based meals, cut out single-use plastics or shop second-hand?
Volunteer for a local environmental charity or join a campaigning organisation.
Use a meditation or mindfulness app to help you focus on the present moment and cope with feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
Learn about key climate issues – there are lots of great podcasts, videos and books on this subject.
Keep a journal in which you write down your thoughts and emotions about the climate crisis, reflect on them and find your own ways to take action.
Spend time in nature and, if you have a garden or balcony, make it more wildlife-friendly.
Try to balance your news and social media intake – follow people with different viewpoints and take regular timeouts from your digital devices.
Climate anxiety is known to cause sleep problems, such as insomnia, so try to develop good sleep habits (e.g. switching off your tech at night and sleeping in a dark, quiet bedroom).

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