Eco-anxiety: It Is Hitting Closer To Home Than You Think

Anxiety is the body's natural response to stress, danger, or unfamiliar situations, often manifesting as a sense of unease before a significant event. Eco-anxiety specifically refers to the anxiety triggered by societal challenges related to climate change and environmental degradation.

Let’s set the anxiety scene

Did you know Earth Overshoot Day in 2024 was on August 1st—the date humanity exhausted the planet's biological resources that Earth has generated for that year?

Less than 20% of our waste is recyclable, yet we keep pouring money into recycling infrastructure. Maybe it's time to focus on reducing instead. Have you considered that whilst Earth can regenerate itself—humanity cannot.

Feeling anxious yet?

The largest study on eco-anxiety, conducted in 2021 by Elizabeth Marks and Caroline Hickman from the University of Bath, found widespread concern about climate change. Over 59% of respondents were extremely worried, with more than half feeling sad, anxious, angry, guilty, or powerless.

Astonishingly, 45% said their climate concerns impacted their daily lives, and up to 39% were reconsidering having children due to fears about the future. While we remain optimistic, the more we delve into environmental challenges and seek its solution, the more our anxiety intensifies.

So, you’re not part of the worrisome crowd, but are you affected?

Yes, you are affected. Anxiety around the future, our environment and humanity’s survival is real and growing. You may not fret about it emotionally, but the consequences are not just the younger generation’s problem. Eco anxiety is fluid and often leads to other challenges and ripple effects.

As eco-anxiety increases, mental health declines, straining already compromised systems like healthcare, education, and workplace well-being.

When one system or person weakens, others bear the burden, demanding more resources— including your time and money—that are limited.

Stressed resources ignite conflict, causing uproar among those who would otherwise coexist peacefully.

As the underlying pressure for resource continuously escalate and provision for shortfall is made by some, opinions of overstressing the required quota is rising, paving the way for a ‘dog-eats-dog’ world.

Rob Harrison-Plastow, co-founder of Time Agency, emphasises that "everything is interconnected. We are not separate from nature; we are nature." Since we are inherently part of the problem, we cannot escape its consequences, they will affect us all.

What is the ‘miracle’ solution?

It's you.

Your knowledge and actions are the key. When you know better, you do better. As the saying goes, "Put your own oxygen mask on first" - start by taking small, practical steps and influence others along the way. Be the example of change, then empower others to join you. Many small actions can create a significant impact. Focus on reducing resource consumption before reusing or recycling.

Simple workplace strategies

IT specialists, consider creating an e-waste strategy for your organisation. For the “bean counters”, why not develop a model that rewards customers for repurposing, donating, or recycling your products?

Innovation teams, focus on designing products or services that reduce resource usage. This not only makes you an eco-warrior but also drives profitability.

Operations teams, lead the demand for sustainability by choosing suppliers who share your values—make it a pre-requisite, not a request. HR, consider incorporating Carbon Literacy training into onboarding and add sustainability actions to KPIs.

Marketing specialists, use your influence to craft messages that inspire behavioural change, and managers: opt for more video calls and commit to taking two fewer trips per year.

You’re also a contributor at home

While the workplace may limit quick changes, your home offers a unique opportunity.

As king of the castle, you can lead by example with simple actions like meal planning to cut food waste, reducing meat consumption, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth (for two minutes, remember!), or using energy-efficient light bulbs. Embrace in-home recycling, repair items instead of replacing them, and consider sharing or borrowing from neighbours.

Home changes can be simple, quick, and cost-effective—like avoiding single-use items. Stop making excuses and start making better choices today!

Conclusion

The rising tide of eco-anxiety highlights a critical reality: our connection to environmental issues is both profound and inescapable. The solution lies within each of us. By harnessing our knowledge and taking deliberate actions, we can drive change. Small, practical steps at home and in the workplace can lead to substantial impacts and a more sustainable future.

By: Zea Gove, Global Brand Strategist and Marketing Manager, Propelair

About Propelair

Propelair is an international cleantech company delivering data-enabled, water-saving washroom solutions that help commercial and public organisations reduce water consumption, lower operating costs, enhance sustainability, improve hygiene, and enable smarter washroom management. www.propelair.com | info@propelair.com

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Recommended reading

If you enjoyed this post and have time to spare, why not check out these related posts and dive deeper down the rabbit hole that is the environment?

• A Guide To Environmentally Friendly Living At Home
• 5 Ways to Create a Great Company Environment
• 6 Essential Home Maintenance Tips

Tags: Eco-friendly, Guest Post