Do you have eco-anxiety? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

The transcript explores eco-anxiety, a growing mental health issue caused by concerns about climate change. It discusses how young people, in particular, are impacted by the crisis, feeling grief, guilt, and fear for the planet's future. Experts highlight how eco-anxiety can be alleviated through action, such as joining environmental movements or pursuing green jobs, which empower individuals to work toward a sustainable future. The script also touches on the optimism surrounding advances in climate science and the potential for positive change, culminating in a rare piece of good news about an animal thought to be extinct.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eco-anxiety is a growing mental health concern, caused by the fear, guilt, and grief about the future of the planet due to climate change.
• 😀 Direct victims of climate change, such as flood survivors and people exposed to pollution, face heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and dementia.
• 😀 Reading about environmental issues in the media is contributing to eco-anxiety, even for those not directly affected by climate events.
• 😀 Young people are particularly vulnerable to eco-anxiety, but they are also leading the charge in taking action against climate change.
• 😀 Veteran environmentalist Judy Ling Wong emphasizes the advanced science behind climate change predictions and the need to act now.
• 😀 The phrase 'what a mess' highlights the poor state of the planet due to previous generations' actions, adding emotional weight to the conversation.
• 😀 'Science has changed the ball game,' meaning the accurate science of climate change now provides clear pathways for action to combat it.
• 😀 Young people are impassioned to act on climate change, and their emotional motivation is driving environmental movements.
• 😀 Taking action against climate change, such as getting involved in green jobs or movements, can alleviate eco-anxiety by providing a sense of agency and purpose.
• 😀 The creation of two million green jobs by the government is seen as a positive step toward a sustainable future, offering young people opportunities to dedicate their working lives to environmental protection.
• 😀 Key vocabulary from the episode includes 'compassion' (sympathy for others), 'ball game' (the circumstances controlling a situation), 'impassioned' (emotionally motivated), 'movement' (a group with shared goals), and 'working life' (the period spent in employment).

Q & A

What is eco-anxiety?

Eco-anxiety is a feeling of grief, guilt, fear, or hopelessness about the future of the planet, primarily due to climate change.

How can climate change directly affect human health?

Climate change can affect human health in various ways, such as causing depression and anxiety in flood survivors, and increasing the risk of dementia for people breathing polluted air.

What is the relationship between reading about the state of the planet and mental health?

According to the Institute of Psychiatrists, just reading about the state of the planet in the news can cause stress and anxiety in individuals.

What is the good news shared in the program about Australia?

The good news shared in the program is that an animal thought to be extinct, the earless grassland dragon lizard, has been spotted in Australia for the first time in over 50 years.

What phrase does Judy Ling Wong use to emphasize the planet's poor state?

Judy Ling Wong uses the phrase 'what a mess' to emphasize that the planet is in bad shape due to the actions of older generations.

How has scientific understanding of climate change improved?

Scientific understanding of climate change has become much more accurate, with the ability to predict and model the impact more precisely. This allows us to know exactly what actions need to be taken.

What impact does taking action on climate change have on eco-anxiety?

Taking action to combat climate change can reduce feelings of helplessness and anxiety, helping individuals feel empowered and part of the solution.

What are green jobs, and how do they affect young people’s psychology?

Green jobs involve working towards creating a sustainable future, and having a green job can positively impact young people's psychology by giving them purpose and a sense of contribution to solving environmental issues.

What is a movement, and why is it important in the context of eco-anxiety?

A movement is a group of people who share common beliefs and ideas. In the context of eco-anxiety, joining a movement allows individuals to be part of the solution, which helps alleviate feelings of helplessness and anxiety.

What is the significance of the phrase 'the ball game' in the program?

'The ball game' refers to the set of circumstances that determine how a situation occurs. In the context of climate change, it refers to how science has advanced and provided clearer guidelines on how to address the crisis.