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. )

Example Sentences

Ecogrief is part of a family of new terms to describe the distress, along with “climate grief” or “ecoanxiety.”

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It’s also been labeled climate grief or ecoanxiety.

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“Concern about climate change coupled with worry about the future can lead to fear, anger, feelings of powerlessness, exhaustion, stress, and sadness, referred to as ecoanxiety and climate anxiety.”

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It is a surprisingly short step from “chronic fear of environmental doom,” as the American Psychological Association defines ecoanxiety, to xenophobia and fascism.

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Driving Goldman’s business plan, in part, is an American Psychological Association study that cited a condition known as “ecoanxiety.”

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