Changes to the environment are causing a rise in climate anxiety. But it doesn’t just cause feelings of fear, it inspires action. Vitality Editor, Becky Bargh, discovers the changes you can make to benefit our planet and... your health?
The news doesn’t always make for easy reading... watching... or listening. It can sometimes feel as though a series of never-ending negativity is meandering across our screens. And this is causing a certain amount of concern among consumers.
In April 2025, the Office for National Statistics released a report to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week – 12 to 18 May 2025 – which found that social and political issues were worrying Brits more than any other topic (44%). This was closely followed by financial issues and health, both at 42%.
One of those social meandering topics? The environment. This has led to the coining of the term ‘climate anxiety’, which refers to the “emotional distress, worry, or fear that many experience due to the overwhelming impacts of climate change,” according to Silvia Cordoba, Vitality’s Senior Mental Health & Wellbeing Coach.
Findings show that this is a more common condition in young people, but that’s not exclusive. More than 60% of people over the age of 16 said that they had concerns about rising temperatures and felt that they would be directly impacted by 2030.
While Cordoba reminds us that it is not a “diagnosable mental health condition” like an anxiety disorder, it is still “a response to a specific and real threat”. She explains: “This makes it different from other forms of anxiety, where there isn’t a clear source of worry.”
That source of worry can, however, be determined by number of changes that we are experiencing within our climate. At the point of writing, four heatwaves had taken place across the UK during the summer of 2025, and spring the same year was the warmest and sunniest on record. And yet – 2024 was the wettest year for some parts of Britain since the 1800s.
This topsy turvy, spinning plate of weather forecasts is climate change before our very eyes, and people are having very real responses to it.
“When we all take small, positive steps, the collective impact is powerful.”
Physical indicators – whether that’s the weather or scorched landscapes – are telling us that the climate is changing, but it’s not just the things we see. It is the mere passing of time.
Climate targets set out by governments are no longer far-flung in the future. 2030 – or the deadline that the UK government has committed to cutting its emissions by 68% – is within touching distance. Even the divisive topic of net zero – still set to be achieved in 2050, something Vitality is committed to reaching by 2050 or earlier – is only a quarter of a century away.
That’s only as long ago as the year 2000. And with this passing of time, and the urgency of needing to act in the here and now only adds fuel to climate anxiety wildfire. But change is afoot. More than half of the UK’s electricity was provided by renewable sources, mainly from on and offshore wind.
Clara Kühner, a researcher of psychology and climate change from the University of Leipzig in Germany, also found that insufficient action by other countries and the potential for future policy reversals are contributing to “sustained anxiety” around the climate.
While her work did cite that trust in governments to address climate change was not related to increased levels of climate anxiety, the impact of extremist movements to undermine democratic climate policies is making people more nervous about the future of our planet.
‘Start small. Stay consistent’
In an attempt to bring some positivity to the conversation, it is true climate anxiety is not strictly a bad thing. “Some may see it as a call to action, an opportunity to raise awareness and make meaningful change,” says Cordoba.
Kühner’s research backs up this theory. Her study found that while climate anxiety is “negatively related to wellbeing”, it does: “positively relate to climate action”.
So, while climate anxiety can make people feel uncomfortable and experience symptoms of powerlessness or helplessness, according to Cordoba, it has the power to galvanise, too.
Taking meaningful action doesn’t have to be changing the world in a Legally Blonde-esque moment. Vitality’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Deepak Jobanputra, says that it’s about more about the little things. “Start small. Stay consistent. You don’t need to be perfect, just begin with one change. When we all take small, positive steps, the collective impact is powerful.”
He adds: “Vitality’s Shared Value model is built on a simple idea: when our members live healthier lives, everyone benefits. But the impact goes beyond individual wellbeing – it extends to the environment too.”
Making conscious choices around your carbon footprint is one place to start. Do you need to drive to the shops, or could you walk? Is there an environmental group in your community that you could contribute to? The United Nations’s Lifestyle Calculator can also give you tips on how to make smarter climate choices based on your everyday habits.
Cordoba says: “Being part of a community can both help when you want to engage in meaningful conversations and action. It can also help you keep in check, feel less alone and participate in collective care and action that can be very empowering.”
An added benefit of taking part in these types of activities?
They’re good for your health too...
That being said, making changes to your lifestyle won’t necessarily make those feelings of climate anxiety dissipate, as staying informed in the news can stir up feelings of worry and anxiety. But Cordoba explains that it’s all about balance.
“It is a constant juggle, to try to achieve the balance of staying informed while also looking after ourselves,” she says. “Being aware of this challenge and setting this intention may be a great first step.”
She adds: “It may also be helpful to try to set intentional boundaries around how and when we engage with climate-related information. This may look like limiting news consumption, or scheduling regular breaks, or arranging time for activities that bring joy, calm and a sense of disconnection.”
