Environmental anxiety’s role in ecofriendly behaviour

Abstract

This thesis is a literature review seeking to analyse the effects of environmental anxiety on eco-friendly behaviour. Considering the alarming last few reports of the IPCC on climate change and its consequences as well as increasing rates of mental illness in young people it is important to know how these two fields can influence each other. Three articles are studied revealing that eco anxiety can have both negative and positive effects in reducing individuals carbon footprints in young people and how the way news about climate change is relayed nowadays can cause additional stress. Social influence, an uncomplicated view of a low carbon footprint lifestyle and less stressors can turn environmental anxiety in youth into a positive influence to engage in eco friendly behaviours. Environmental anxiety can however also turn into a negative influence by reinforcing avoidance and polluting coping mechanisms.