ecoanxiety

American  

[ek-oh-ang-zahy-i-tee, ee-koh‐] / ˌɛk oʊ æŋˈzaɪ ɪ ti, ˌi koʊ‐ /

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of ecoanxiety

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

Explanation

Ecoanxiety is a constant feeling of dread about climate change. People who feel hopeless about preventing environmental disasters commonly suffer from ecoanxiety. Most mental health experts consider ecoanxiety to be a more extreme form of a common, rational concern about our warming planet. In fact, a majority of people are worried about climate change and its environmental effects. When this normal worry becomes so overwhelming that it affects a person's sleep, relationships, or ability to work, it can be diagnosed as ecoanxiety. It's a 21st-century word, used since at least 2007 and coined from ecology and anxiety.

Example Sentences

It’s also been labeled climate grief or ecoanxiety.

From Washington Times • Mar. 14, 2023

“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.”

From Scientific American • Jan. 28, 2022

Some researchers use terms like climate grief, ecoanxiety or climate distress to describe these emotions.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2019