ABSTRACT: This paper presents research and clinical material exploring how eco-anxiety can be felt and thought about by children and young people. It discusses the importance of understanding the range of climate anxiety found in practice, ranging from mild to medium to significant, severe, and critical climate distress. Frequently eco-anxiety is perceived as a singular emotional and cognitive experience, and all too often seen through adult eyes. This scale drawn from clinical practice attempts to differentiate between the different experiences children and young people can have by drawing on international clinical and research evidence. The paper argues that supporting children's eco-anxiety requires a both/and approach — acknowledging feelings of loss and grief for losses that have already taken place, whilst holding hope, and crucially not individualising what is a collective hurt.
Eco-Anxiety in Children and Young People – A Rational Response, Irreconcilable Despair, or Both?
ABSTRACT: This paper presents research and clinical material exploring how eco-anxiety can be felt and thought about by children and young people. It discusses the importance of understanding the range of climate anxiety found in practice, ranging from mild to medium to significant, severe, and critical climate distress. Frequently eco-anxiety is perceived as a singular emotional and cognitive experience, and all too often seen through adult eyes. This scale drawn from clinical practice attempts to differentiate between the different experiences children and young people can have by drawing on international clinical and research evidence. The paper argues that supporting children's eco-anxiety requires a both/and approach — acknowledging feelings of loss and grief for losses that have already taken place, whilst holding hope, and crucially not individualising what is a collective hurt.
Related resources
Hosting and facilitating a Climate café listening circle (CCLC) training
Do you want to help build resilience in your community? Climate Cafe LIstening Circle (CCLC) Training builds the confidence, skills, and peer community to facilitate your own circles. Delivered as a structured programme over three sessions in closed cohorts, with ongoing supervision and support afterwards.
Hosting and facilitating a Climate café listening circle (CCLC) training
Do you want to help build resilience in your community? Climate Cafe LIstening Circle (CCLC) Training builds the confidence, skills, and peer community to facilitate your own circles. Delivered as a structured programme over three sessions in closed cohorts, with ongoing supervision and support afterwards.
Hosting and facilitating a Climate café listening circle (CCLC) training
Do you want to help build resilience in your community? Climate Cafe LIstening Circle (CCLC) Training builds the confidence, skills, and peer community to facilitate your own circles. Delivered as a structured programme over three sessions in closed cohorts, with ongoing supervision and support afterwards.
Explore more resources
Browse the full Research and Resources library, more articles, papers, podcasts, and reading lists.
Join the community
CPA is built collaboratively, by members for members. If this work resonates, come and join us.
.jpg)
