Back in 1992, the Rio Earth Summit was a key moment for focusing on sustainable development. People were starting to worry about how humanity interacts with nature and the future impact on both the planet and ourselves. At that time, experts often spoke about climate change as something that might happen down the road: “What will the planet look like for future generations?”
Fast forward to 2025, and the urgency to act on climate change is crystal clear. We no longer need to guess what might happen; we see the effects all around us. Extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves are happening now, and they’re affecting our daily lives.
Malaysia’s Climate Struggles
Malaysia is feeling the heat too. Although the country ranks 50th out of 187 in the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, which measures readiness for climate impacts, it faces significant risks. In 2023, it was listed among the top 10 nations for displacement due to floods and droughts. The floods in December displaced over 40,000 people, caused at least 50 fatalities, and inflicted a staggering RM6 billion in damages.
While Malaysia contributes little to global warming historically, it still experiences severe weather threats, including floods and heatwaves, jeopardizing lives and livelihoods. According to reports from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, these disasters may seriously impact agriculture, affecting key crops like rice and palm oil.
With these ongoing challenges, many Malaysians are feeling climate anxiety—a term that describes the emotional distress due to climate change. A 2025 survey by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute found that climate change is seen as a bigger worry than unemployment in the region, with 60% to 90% of Malaysians reporting such feelings.
Understanding Climate Anxiety
Climate anxiety refers to the fear and worry about environmental degradation. It can stem from experiencing a disaster or worrying about potential future risks, especially for those in vulnerable areas. Young people are often the most affected. A 2020 survey by UNICEF revealed that 92% of Malaysian youth see climate change as a crisis.
This heightened worry has physical symptoms too. People may experience headaches, irritability, fatigue, or even panic attacks. Unlike other forms of anxiety, climate anxiety stems from real and immediate concerns about the environment. Many in the mental health field agree that while climate anxiety isn’t classified as a medical condition, it’s a genuine reaction needing attention and support.
Taking Action
But how can we turn this anxiety into something positive? Here are a few thoughts:
- Awareness: Recognizing climate anxiety as a common response can help reduce feelings of isolation among those affected.
- Positive Steps: Transforming worry into action can be empowering. Small changes, like cutting down on plastic use or taking public transportation, can make a difference.
- Compassion: Being kind to ourselves and others can lighten the emotional load of climate concerns.
- Talking it Out: Sharing feelings about climate anxiety can be therapeutic and connect young people who share similar worries.
Educators and family members can play a vital role in supporting young people. Having open discussions about these feelings can foster understanding and offer insights into tackling climate challenges together.
Building Emotional Resilience
Fostering resilience is essential. Seeing climate anxiety as a natural alarm system serves as a motivational force for action. Just as a bit of worry can help us perform better in exams, climate anxiety can inspire us to advocate for the planet.
Addressing climate anxiety may not be simple, but it’s crucial for both mental health and environmental sustainability. Recognizing it as a response to real threats can guide us toward meaningful actions that benefit both ourselves and our planet.
Dr. Arman I. Rashid, a mental health advocate and climate strategist, emphasizes that embracing this form of anxiety can lead to constructive behavior that contributes to environmental conservation.
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