ecoanxiety

[ ek-oh-ang-zahy-i-tee, ee-koh‐ ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. anxiety caused by a dread of environmental perils, especially climate change, and a feeling of helplessness over the potential consequences for those living now and even more so for those of later generations:

   Reports from last week’s global summit have only worsened his ecoanxiety, which has already taken a toll on his physical and mental well-being.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecoanxiety¹

First recorded in 2005–10; eco- ( def ) + anxiety ( def )