September 27, 2023//Blog, LEFF Sustainability//Clair Myatt

Climate anxiety: How to cope when the world’s on fire

As someone who has always been very open about struggling with anxiety, I thought I knew it all. I’m familiar with social anxiety, separation anxiety (from my dogs), generalized anxiety—all the forms of the disorder that most people are familiar with.

But after yet another summer full of uncontrollable wildfires and floods, a new feeling of unease hit me, and I was left wondering: can anyone else relate to this feeling of climate anxiety?

I looked to Google for my answer. And as it turned out, a bunch of other people had, too. In fact, Google searches for “climate anxiety” soared by 565% in 2021, according to the news outlet Grist.

Having finally felt seen, I set out on a quest to learn more about climate anxiety—what it means and how to cope with these feelings. I stumbled upon a Q&A with Dr. Sarah Lowe, a clinical psychologist and associate professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health.

First, it’s important to note the difference between worry and anxiety. Worry is an emotional motivator, and in truth, we need more people to be worried about global warming. Where worry changes to anxiety, however, these thoughts become overwhelming and in some cases debilitating.

According to Dr. Lowe, scholars have found that climate anxiety comprises several feelings, such as ecological grief—that is, sadness or longing caused by the changes one observes in one’s ecosystem. Another component of climate anxiety is solastalgia, or “nostalgia for one’s home environment and the way things used to be.”

As my husband and I start to family plan for the near future, the feelings that Dr. Lowe describes resonate with me. I find myself ping-ponging between wanting to start a family but fearing that my children won’t experience, due to climate change, the same joys of childhood as I did, such as playing outside till the sun goes down, only to then chase fireflies. Will the sky be clear enough to still see stars, and will some of the wonders of the world that I’ve seen still stand by the time they’re my age?

I’m not alone in these worries. In a survey of more than 1,000 Americans by Yale in December 2022, around 10 percent of respondents reported “feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge about global warming at least several days per week.” A similar percentage said they couldn’t stop or control their worrying about global warming, and slightly fewer reported that global warming had diminished their interest or pleasure in doing things.

As more events like the wildfires in Maui, Canada, and Europe occur, the rate of climate anxiety is set to skyrocket. So many have already lost their homes, family members, and beloved pets—not to mention the loss of habitat and wildlife.

So…what do we do?

According to Dr. Lowe, if you’re experiencing symptoms of climate anxiety (or even if you’re not!), collective action is one way to lesson these feelings of impending doom. Collective action can increase your social connectedness with people who share similar goals and values. This is particularly important because social support is one of the strongest predictors of mental well-being. Chances are, taking action will give you a stronger sense of self-efficacy and hope for the future, too!

I experienced this recently when I relocated from Chicago to Milwaukee. Having been part of a composting program for many years in Chicago, I felt very out of sorts at the lack of resources available to reduce food waste in Milwaukee. So I acted and emailed my alderman to express this desire for citywide composting. Taking this smallest of actions helped me feel in control by helping to build collective action among my new community.

My role in the Leff Sustainability Group and the work I do for our clients on sustainability topics helps, too. One of our main missions within LSG is to help our clients think strategically, both in creating and executing, about their sustainability goals and messaging. Working on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports and producing high-value sustainability content that reaches an audience that has the ability to make positive change brings me a sense of peace. And while I know that we can only help to supply the consumers of this content with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions, I know my team is doing their part by bringing awareness to the dangerous effects of climate change.

My last piece of advice is to set a healthy media diet for yourself. Stay aware, but put limits on your doomscrolling. We live in a media ecosystem that is geared to tell us about how bad things are and rarely to tell us about all the incredible people who are doing something to help—such as Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, the CEO of the Global Environment Facility. By consciously making different choices in our media diets, we can get energized to make a change. (Have you checked out our #EcoWins yet?)

Senior adviser

Allan elevates thought leadership with a veteran editor’s perspective on distinctive content and a journalist’s eye for trends in world events. He began his career as a writer and editor covering business, economics, and the environment for the Tallahassee Democrat, the Miami Herald, The New York Times, and The International Herald Tribune in Paris. Allan went on to work at McKinsey & Company for more than 20 years in Europe, Asia, and North America, where he specialized in emerging markets and shaped global thought leadership as editor in chief and editorial board member of the McKinsey Quarterly. At LEFF, Allan works with colleagues and clients to launch new projects, and he uses his expertise to support the professional development of LEFF’s team of editors.

 

Director of LEFF Sustainability Group

Katie is passionate about the power of storytelling to motivate audiences to action, particularly related to environmental issues—the throughline of her multifaceted career. She has managed a water project for the World Bank, been one of the UK’s climate security negotiators at NATO, helped design green strategies for several governments as a McKinsey & Company consultant, and taught courses on writing for public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Based in Brussels, Katie currently develops sustainable content strategies; edits a wide range of climate content, including infographics and major reports; and oversees LEFF’s Into the Weeds interview series, which shares stories of the people and organizations combating climate change.

 

VP of marketing and business development

Chad has brought brand narratives to life for more than 15 years by developing powerful stories, inspiring stakeholders with unique marketing campaigns, and building communities of enthusiastic audiences. Chad honed his approach to content as a sales and marketing executive for Disney and ESPN Media Networks, where he used storytelling to increase revenue for mobile and linear-channel products. Since then, he has held several senior marketing roles across healthcare, education, and technology companies. Most recently, Chad was the vice president of corporate marketing at Telarus, where he developed comprehensive branding initiatives across multiple technology disciplines, including cloud, cybersecurity, and AI. Chad joined LEFF in 2024, and he’s excited to launch innovative marketing strategies that drive growth and deliver transformative results.

Senior adviser

Mary is a data visualization expert with a rare combination of talents. Trained as a fine artist, she also enjoys writing, advanced math, and learning new skills; she taught herself coding and UX, and she’s continued to build valuable proficiencies that keep her on the cutting edge of content. Prior to joining LEFF, Mary worked at McKinsey & Company, developing the precise, engaging charts that have become a hallmark of the firm’s widely read publications. Today, she collaborates with LEFF editors and clients to distill even the most complex ideas into compelling, intuitive data visualizations. By asking the right questions and determining the best formats, she ensures data visuals amplify key insights.

Senior adviser

Peter is an expert at developing clear, compelling stories about complex subjects—a skill that’s served him well as an award-winning journalist, editor, and book author. A former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and writer for Fortune magazine, Peter also spent seven years at the McKinsey Global Institute, where he stayed at the forefront of major trends in business and technology as a senior editor and editorial director. Peter has also written five nonfiction books, including a bestseller in France, where he currently resides. He brings his unique perspective as a collaborative, tactical thought partner to his work at LEFF by uniting stakeholders, upholding a high standard of quality, and ensuring content is well-structured and aligned with client needs.

People director

Tracy built her career in people operations by developing a wide range of skills; because of her many capabilities, she refers to herself as the “Swiss army knife of HR.” But Tracy’s work goes beyond typical human resources functions: She’s committed to elevating the complete employee experience. She draws on her work across industries—including roles at Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, and the American Medical Association—to promote a workplace culture of openness and acceptance, and she’s guided by her empathic nature and willingness to embrace a challenge. In everything from implementing new processes for feedback and evaluation and supporting employees through times of great change, Tracy makes LEFF a special place to work by ensuring that everyone feels welcome, valued, and seen.

 

Design director

Christa was always drawn to art and design, and over time, she also discovered a passion for progress: She’s motivated by meeting goals, building teams, and refining the many small steps between concept and content. Christa built the foundation of her design career at an advertising agency before moving on to the marketing department of a healthcare university, where she oversaw print and digital projects as a graphic designer, senior creative and brand specialist, and creative services manager. Today, Christa is excited to explore the possibilities of LEFF’s ever-growing content offerings, lead a group of creative designers, and use her experience and strategic design thinking to deliver outstanding results for clients. 

 

Production director

Jen approaches copy with a clear philosophy: Edit in service of the reader. She began her career in journalism, where editing newspaper copy on the second shift meant meeting tight daily deadlines and making quick decisions. Roles as a senior editor, executive editor, and director of editorial production followed, and Jen used her good judgment and love for the written word to elevate copy for entertainment news and B2B publications. Whether navigating the intricacies of highly specialized style guides or constructing crosswords in her free time, Jen is at home in the possibilities of language. At LEFF, she leads the production department: a collaborative, adaptable team that maintains our—and Jen’s—deep commitment to quality and clarity.

 

Group account director

Joe values preparation, but an early career experience taught him to troubleshoot in unfamiliar situations. One of his first roles in marketing required him to travel suddenly to Toronto to help a multinational restaurant business build its presence in Canada. Two years later, Joe had worked through regional differences and complex logistics to help the client meet its goals, and he became a more active listener in the process. Whether successfully delivering game-changing outcomes in an agency setting or at a university, where he directed marketing operations across campuses, Joe remains focused on solving problems with well-informed decisions. At LEFF, he’s overseeing the processes that ensure everyone has what they need to do their best work and strengthening the connection between effective operations and exceptional client service.

VP, content marketing

Karianne has a unique history of engaging audiences and telling stories. After studying music, she found new ways to express herself in the world of branding. Her more than 20 years in marketing and strategy are a testament to her ability to bridge business and creative mindsets, and she has developed content to communicate the ethos of global brands such as GE, State Farm, Motorola, and Procter & Gamble. Prior to joining LEFF in 2024, Karianne was vice president of digital at Weber Shandwick, led workshops at General Assembly, founded her own business, became a certified well-being expert, and released an album. As the lead of LEFF’s content marketing team, she looks forward to helping clients discover new opportunities to make an impact with lively, thoughtful content.

SVP, content innovation

Luke has crafted a writing life by pursuing—and creating—fresh opportunities. As a newspaper journalist in his native Australia and then as a foreign correspondent, freelance writer, editor, and management consultant, Luke developed the keen editorial eye and strategic perspective that has led him to the forefront of thought leadership and B2B publishing. Luke has helped leading organizations share transformative insights through print media and emerging digital platforms. Before joining LEFF, he was an executive editor at McKinsey & Company, managing director of Deloitte Insights, and global editor in chief for EY. Always driven to match the medium to the message, Luke collaborates with LEFF’s content marketing, editorial, and design departments to showcase clients’ most important ideas.

Partner

Alia approaches content like a conversation: She listens to clients to learn about their goals and responds with strategies that resonate with their audiences. Alia is an expert at translating ideas into smart, compelling integrated campaigns, and her experience in the agency world honed her abilities as a versatile creative partner and insightful innovator for enterprise clients such as Toyota, Kaiser Permanente, and Allstate. She got her start in publishing after living and working in Ukraine, where she focused on HIV/AIDS education and grant writing. At LEFF, she has assembled a team of multifaceted creatives who tell clients’ exciting, meaningful stories across channels and formats.