A forest fire in northern California and a mile-long glacier breaking apart appear in your news feed. The stark reminders of climate change are constant and may cause additional stress to your daily tasks. For example, in surveying your shopping cart filled with wipes, sandwich bags, and packets of baby food, you may question your choices, knowing that the plastic in those items will never break down completely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, more than two-thirds<\/a> of Americans experience some climate anxiety.<\/em><\/p>Jone Mark<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
What is climate anxiety?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In addition to existential worries and fears about the future, climate change can affect mental health directly (such as through natural disasters or heat) and indirectly (through displacement, migration, and food insecurity). Rising temperatures have been associated with increases in emergency department visits<\/a> for psychiatric reasons, and may impair cognitive development<\/a> in children and adolescents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n