Climate change has caused more intense wildfires, heat waves, floods and hurricanes, lengthened allergy seasons and inflicted other forms of tangible harm. But an oft-overlooked consequence — one that warrants urgent attention and creative problem-solving — is worsening mental health.
The COVID pandemic has been a time of enormous suffering. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of depression and anxiety increased 25% globally during the first year of the pandemic. We are bruised and vulnerable, struggling to right ourselves after a tumultuous two and a half years.
But the daily reminders of global warming, including extreme heat, water rationing and parched landscapes, are threatening to worsen the situation, and we don’t have medications or vaccines to save us.
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