People all over the globe are losing sleep, literally, over the threats posed by climate change and a University of New England (UNE) researcher believes a major health crisis is looming.
Associate Professor of Psychology Navjot Bhullar has contributed to an international study that found that climate change is not only having physical, social and economic impacts. There is also a correlation between the negative emotions associated with climate change (known as eco-anxiety), insomnia and poor mental health.
Associate Professor Bhullar was one of 34 researchers in 25 countries to take part in the investigation. Although the phenomenon of eco-anxiety has been recognised for some time, it had previously been observed mostly in Western countries. The study found that residents of non-Western countries also report a link between their negative emotions and insomnia symptoms.
Defined as a "chronic fear of ecological doom", eco-anxiety is characterised by emotional distress, paralysing fear, and a deep sense of despair about the future harm climate change is likely to cause. As the generation that will have to contend most with its impacts, young people are thought to be especially vulnerable.
Disrupting our connection with nature
"We all have this strong, innate connection with nature," Associate Professor Bhullar says. "Being in nature reduces our levels of stress and makes us feel happier because it increases our positive emotions.
“When that connection is disrupted or threatened- whether due to a bushfire, drought or global pandemic -it can leave us feeling disconnected. We may experience ecological grief, anxiety, worry and distress, which has implications for our mental health. Younger people, particularly, who lack decision-making and political power, can feel like they are not being heard."
And that's precisely what the international study found. Eco-anxiety undermines mental health and results in sleeplessness, which threatens mental and physical health and wellbeing. And younger women appear to be the worst affected.
For some time, Associate Professor Bhullar has been studying environmental influences on our health and wellbeing. It's becoming increasingly topical, given the greater intensity and frequency of natural disasters associated with climate change.
We've known for some time that natural environments help us to recover from the attention fatigue and cognitive depletion associated with everyday life and its stressors. Threaten that or remove it altogether for young people already experiencing stress and Associate Professor Bhullar believes the impacts can be life-threatening for some.
Eco-anxiety is a serious public health issue.
"Eco-anxiety is a serious public health issue," she says. "It needs to be considered a priority and we need to be identifying strategies to support people when they can't connect with nature."
Virtual nature vs the real deal
While there is nothing better for boosting our mood than experiencing a truly natural environment like a national park, substitutes like videos and virtual reality may become an option. Associate Professor Bhullar has tested how these alternatives affect mood compared to the real deal.
"While there is no question that nothing beats exposure to a natural environment, simulated experiences are better than nothing for people in aged-care homes, hospitals, offices and inner-city schools who cannot readily access nature," she says.
"It reminds us of the importance of nature to human beings, as a species, and our responsibility to future generations to protect the precious habitats and ecosystems that we have. The pandemic lockdowns have taught us how much we rely on these places."
Associate Professor Bhullar now wants to explore the experiences of young people in rural and regional Australia through a longitudinal study. This will help ascertain specific risk and resilience trajectories of young people, and she hopes that better understanding their experience of eco-anxiety may help to identify ways to address it.
"Much of what young people hear is doom and gloom and this has inspired the climate activism we see in the School Strikes for Climate protests," Associate Professor Bhullar says.
Climate change is no longer happening in a far, far land; it's happening in our backyards.
"Climate change is no longer happening in a far, far land; it's happening in our backyards. I want to know what is causing eco-anxiety, whether it is increasing year on year, and what might help."
