Confronting Eco-Anxiety: Understanding the Growing Fear Amid Climate Breakdown

Eparama Qerewaqa, a 27-year-old from Fiji, reflects on a world that feels lost to climate change. As a child, he played in the forests and swam in clear rivers. Now, those places have changed significantly, and he mourns the loss of familiar trees and seasons.

In late 2020, Cyclone Yasa hit his village, causing widespread destruction: it left 800 homes in ruins and tragically claimed four lives. Tens of thousands were forced to leave their homes. Qerewaqa vividly remembers the chaos—the winds howling, the fear of losing his roof, and the worry for neighbors.

There’s a term for the fear of environmental decline: “ecoanxiety.” A recent study found that nearly 80% of children under 12 in the UK are affected by this idea. Yet, for those like Qerewaqa, who live in areas that face natural disasters, ecoanxiety takes on deeper meanings. It’s not just fear; it’s about losing one’s sense of home and identity.

Despite the challenges, Qerewaqa is hopeful. He works with the Alliance for Future Generations (Fiji), a group focused on sustainable development. He believes in the strength of his community and their ability to adapt. “Resilience is in our blood,” he says.

Across the world, climate impacts affect many lives. In Brazil, Amanda Rossini Martins recalls the devastating floods of May 2024, the worst her country had seen in 80 years. The destruction left her questioning what the future holds, especially regarding her dream of motherhood in such uncertain times. Despite her fears, she finds solace fighting for climate justice alongside organizations like Latinas por el Clima.

In Nigeria, Pwausoko Madayi faced a similar fate. A flood in 2022 destroyed his newly established farm, a dream he poured his savings into. Once a rare event, heavy flooding now happens annually. The psychological toll is high; Madayi struggles with fear of loss whenever he thinks about farming again. He’s shifted to climate-smart agricultural methods through his initiative, the GreenNest Sustainability Hub, to help others like him.

The impact of climate change is broadening the scope of ecoanxiety. Some are finding relief through therapy, while others discover joy in shared experiences or time spent in nature. Together, people like Qerewaqa, Martins, and Madayi show that even amidst despair, community and action offer pathways to hope.



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