Navigating Climate Anxiety: How only understanding grief can lead to sustainable change

The Rise of Climate Anxiety

Climate anxiety, often referred to as eco-anxiety, is a growing phenomenon across the globe, particularly among younger generations. As the reality of the climate crisis becomes more apparent, more people are experiencing deep-seated fear, stress, and anxiety about the future of our planet. Less of a worry knowing that you're not alone in this..

"The constant worry about the planet's future keeps me up at night. I feel so powerless to stop the destruction." - Sophia, 22

"Every time I see news about extreme weather or melting glaciers, I'm overcome with a sense of dread. I don't know how to cope with this anxiety." - Malik, 38

"I'm terrified for my children's lives. What kind of world are we leaving behind for the next generation?" - Olivia, 45

Recent studies highlight the widespread nature of this anxiety:

• A Lancet Planetary Health study found that 59% of young people aged 16-25 are "very" or "extremely" worried about climate change, with 45% reporting that these feelings negatively affect their daily life.
• The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that 48% of Americans feel "disgusted" or "helpless" about climate change, with these emotions often manifesting as anxiety or stress.
• In the U.K., a BMJ study revealed that 70% of adults are somewhat worried about climate change, with younger people feeling particularly overwhelmed.

Climate Anxiety and the Grief Model

The emotions associated with climate anxiety closely mirror the stages of the grief model, a psychological framework first introduced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to describe the process people go through when faced with loss. The five stages of grief—Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance—can also be seen in how individuals and groups respond to the climate crisis.

1. Denial: In the context of climate change, denial often manifests as outright rejection of scientific evidence or minimization of the crisis. This is evident in the rhetoric of climate change skeptics or those who downplay the severity of the situation. Denial provides temporary emotional relief, shielding individuals from the overwhelming reality of climate change.

- Psychological Mechanisms: Denial can be driven by cognitive dissonance, where people try to avoid the discomfort caused by the discrepancy between their actions (e.g., using fossil fuels) and the knowledge of the harmful consequences of those actions.

- Social Influences: In some communities or political groups, climate denial is encouraged or even reinforced by leaders, media, or advocates who want to protect economic or political interests.

- Examples: Climate denial is evident in statements like "the climate is always changing, this is normal" or "the science is divided on the cause of climate change," despite an overwhelming scientific consensus on human-caused climate change.

2. Anger: As the reality of climate change becomes harder to ignore, many people experience anger—anger at governments, corporations, older generations, or even themselves for failing to address the crisis sooner. This stage is often seen in climate activism, where frustration drives protests and demands for more aggressive action.

- Emotional Reactions: Anger can arise from a sense of injustice, such as the idea that current and future generations have to bear the consequences of previous generations' negligence.

- Activism: Anger often becomes a catalyst for activism. Environmental organizations and youth movements like Fridays for Future have emerged out of anger over the lack of serious measures against climate change.

- Examples: Protests, such as the global climate marches and strikes led by activists like Greta Thunberg, are manifestations of this collective anger against the slow pace of political and economic action.

3. Bargaining: In this stage, individuals may try to negotiate their way out of the climate crisis, often by making small lifestyle changes in the hope that it will be enough to stave off disaster. For example, someone might vow to reduce their carbon footprint by driving less or recycling more, hoping that these actions alone will make a significant impact.

- Coping Mechanism: Bargaining is a way to regain a sense of control. People think that if they take certain measures (e.g., flying less, saving energy), they can manage the problem without drastically changing their lifestyle.

- Political Compromises: Governments and businesses may take measures that don't go far enough, such as setting limited CO2 reduction targets or implementing market solutions that don't address the fundamental problems.

- Examples: This is seen in policy measures that focus on emission compensation (such as planting trees to offset emissions), while structural changes in energy supply or industrial production are often postponed or avoided.

4. Depression: As the scale of the crisis becomes clear, many people fall into a state of despair or hopelessness, feeling overwhelmed by the seeming inevitability of environmental catastrophe. This stage is particularly common among young people, who may feel that their future has been stolen from them by inaction on climate change.

- Eco-Anxiety: This is a term used to describe the feelings of anxiety and depression related to the climate crisis. Especially young people may experience these feelings, as they are confronted with bleak prospects for their future.

- Existential Dilemmas: The realization that irreversible damage may be being done to the planet can lead to an existential crisis, where people question whether their actions still matter in light of an uncertain future.

- Examples: Studies have shown that a growing number of people feel overwhelmed by the climate crisis, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and sometimes even paralysis in taking action.

5. Acceptance: The final stage is acceptance, where individuals come to terms with the reality of climate change and begin to focus on what can be done to adapt and mitigate its effects. Acceptance is not about giving up, but about moving forward with a clear-eyed view of the challenges and a commitment to taking meaningful action.

- Positive Action: Acceptance can lead to proactive behavior, such as participating in sustainable initiatives, engaging in political advocacy, and adapting personal lifestyles to minimize environmental impact.

- Collective Change: When societies reach this stage, we see the implementation of large-scale sustainable changes, such as the shift to renewable energy, the improvement of environmental laws, and the promotion of a circular economy.

- Examples: Communities that commit to climate adaptation and mitigation, such as cities building climate-resilient infrastructure or companies adopting sustainable practices, are examples of acceptance and action at a collective level.

Where People Are in the Grief Model Regarding Climate Anxiety

Different groups of people are at different stages of the grief model when it comes to climate anxiety:

• Denial: Many older individuals or those in politically conservative regions may still be in denial, influenced by cultural, social, or economic factors that resist acknowledging the climate crisis.
• Anger: Youth movements like Fridays for Future, led by figures such as Greta Thunberg, are clearly in the anger stage, using their frustration as a powerful motivator for demanding systemic change.
• Bargaining: Individuals who focus on small, individual actions—like reducing plastic use or cutting down on meat consumption—without engaging in broader systemic efforts might be in the bargaining stage.
• Depression: Many young people and climate scientists, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the problem and the lack of sufficient action, find themselves in a state of depression or eco-anxiety.
• Acceptance: Environmental leaders and organizations who have moved beyond the initial emotional responses to focus on developing and implementing solutions are in the acceptance stage, driving efforts towards sustainability and resilience.

The Need to Reach Acceptance

Reaching the stage of acceptance is crucial for your own mental health, but also because it is only from this place that sustainable change can be created! Acceptance allows individuals to move past emotional paralysis and take constructive action. It is where grief transforms into resolve, where despair turns into determination. Without reaching this stage, people risk staying stuck in cycles of inaction, anger, or hopelessness, which can prevent meaningful progress in addressing the climate crisis.

Introducing the SHIFT Model

This is why, together with psychotherapists and biologists, the SHIFT Model is created. A way to help people reach that stage of acceptance. It offers a structured path to help individuals and groups navigate through the stages of grief associated with climate anxiety and move towards acceptance and the action we need for us to become able to change and minimalize the climate shift.

To become able to move from climate anxiety and inaction to effective, sustainable solutions, the SHIFT Model empowers people to do so.

The SHIFT Model addresses the emotional and cognitive challenges of confronting the climate crisis by guiding individuals through the natural stages of grief—from Denial to Acceptance—helping them See the reality, Heal emotional wounds, Integrate new understandings, Focus their energy, and ultimately Transform their actions into impactful, positive change.

>> Click here to learn more about the SHIFT model and the trainings <<

Here's how it works:

• See (Denial): The first step is recognizing and acknowledging the reality of the climate crisis, breaking through denial by facing the facts head-on.
• Heal (Anger): Next, individuals are guided to acknowledge and work through their emotional responses, particularly the anger and frustration that can arise when confronting the enormity of the crisis.
• Integrate (Bargaining): This stage involves processing new understandings and integrating them into a broader perspective, helping people move beyond superficial fixes and towards deeper, systemic change.
• Focus (Depression): Here, the model helps channel emotions into constructive paths, avoiding the pitfalls of despair by focusing on practical, achievable goals.
• Transform (Acceptance): Finally, the SHIFT Model empowers individuals to take action, transforming their understanding and emotional journey into meaningful, impactful change.

A Call to Action: Reaching Acceptance for Sustainable Change

The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time, and the emotional toll it takes is real and significant. However, by understanding and navigating the stages of grief through the SHIFT Model, individuals can move from paralysis to purpose.

Reaching the stage of acceptance is not just about coming to terms with the reality of climate change—it's about empowering ourselves to act, to transform anxiety into action, and to build a sustainable future for generations to come.

The journey is challenging, but it is necessary. By applying and spreading the SHIFT Model, we can ensure that more people reach the crucial stage of acceptance, where true change begins. The future of our planet depends on it! And there is still time to make that shift.

>> Click here to learn more about the SHIFT model and the trainings <<

Free for all training & Canvasses

Discover how the SHIFT model can help you process and transform climate anxiety into positive action.

With the SHIFT model training and supporting canvasses, you'll be able to grow and move past the paralysis. You'll learn to transform your grief into resolve. And avoid the risk of staying stuck in cycles of inaction or hopelessness. Becoming part of the solution and create meaningful, impactful change!

Participants Reviews: Navigating Climate Anxiety with SHIFT

• "The SHIFT model helped me feel less alone in my climate worries. It gave me a clear path to take action instead of just worrying." - Emma, Climate activist

• "I was starting to feel really hopeless about the state of the planet, but the SHIFT process showed me how I could make a difference, even in small ways." - Liam, Sustainability consultant

• "Honestly, the SHIFT canvases were a lifesaver. They helped me work through my feelings step-by-step and figure out what I could do next." - Sophia, Environmental educator

• "After using the SHIFT model, I feel so much more empowered to tackle climate change. It's given me the tools to turn my anxiety into positive change." - Ava, Politician

• "I was stuck in a cycle of grief and despair, but the SHIFT approach guided me towards acceptance and motivated me to get involved in my community." - Simon, Climate policy analyst

• "The SHIFT model was a game-changer for me. It helped me move from feeling paralyzed to taking meaningful action." - Edith, climate activist

• "I was stuck in a cycle of grief and despair, but the SHIFT process guided me towards acceptance and empowerment." - Wesley, Marketing consultant

• "The SHIFT canvases provided a structured way to work through my climate anxiety. I highly recommend them!" - Eowen, Teacher

• "Thanks to the SHIFT model, I was able to channel my anger into positive change. It's a game-changer!" - Hannah, community organizer

• "The SHIFT approach has been invaluable in my journey towards a more sustainable future. Highly transformative!" - Jesus, Financial analyst

>> Click here to learn more about the SHIFT model and the trainings <<