Using Australian national survey data, this study investigates differences between eco-anxiety, eco-depression and eco-anger in their effects on climate action and wellbeing. Contrary to assumptions that all climate-related distress is equally unhelpful, the authors find that eco-anger predicted better mental health outcomes alongside greater engagement in climate activism and personal pro-environmental behaviour, while eco-anxiety and eco-depression were less adaptive, relating to lower wellbeing. Notably, eco-depression was linked to greater participation in collective action even as eco-anxiety predicted lower engagement, positioning anger as a key adaptive emotional driver of climate engagement.
From anger to action
2021
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Using Australian national survey data, this study investigates differences between eco-anxiety, eco-depression and eco-anger in their effects on climate action and wellbeing. Contrary to assumptions that all climate-related distress is equally unhelpful, the authors find that eco-anger predicted better mental health outcomes alongside greater engagement in climate activism and personal pro-environmental behaviour, while eco-anxiety and eco-depression were less adaptive, relating to lower wellbeing. Notably, eco-depression was linked to greater participation in collective action even as eco-anxiety predicted lower engagement, positioning anger as a key adaptive emotional driver of climate engagement.
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