Eco-anxiety is a form of anxiety relating to stress caused by environmental changes and can present as panic attacks, obsessive thinking, appetite changes, and insomnia caused by environmental concerns (Castelloe, 2018).
In a recent study, nearly a third of participants reported eco-anxiety, being overwhelmed by the dire state of the ocean, and what they can do to help (O’Halloran & Silver 2022). People who become anxious about anthropogenic climate crisis can become overwhelmed and immobilized to take sustainable action. However, 64% of participants in this study believed that individual actions could positively impact ocean conservation. The most reported behavioral action taken was recycling. Sadness, interest, awe, and love were all reported to influence conservation action.
Due to human made changes to our environment, we need informed ocean citizens with an understanding of the critically important planetary role the ocean plays in our lives to make our planet habitable (oxygen production, weather and climate regulation, protein source). The global ocean covers nearly 3/4 of the planet! Additionally, it is of paramount importance that people understand ocean health and human health are intricately connected (Fleming et al., 2021). The ocean ecosystem sustains, nurtures, and supports humanity.
You can address eco-anxiety with small actions. Yes, starting very small is easy and requires no motivation. You will emotionally feel better that you are doing your small part to protect our beautiful life sustaining planet.
Examples:
After I pick up my keys to leave my home (anchor/cue) I will turn down or off the heat or air conditioning (behavior) Yay me!
After I put a tooth brush in my mouth to start brushing my teeth (anchor/cue) I will turn off the water tap until I need to rinse (behavior) Woohoo
For more information check out: the Tiny Habits book by B.J. Fogg