{"id":30825,"date":"2026-03-30T11:13:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T03:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?p=30825"},"modified":"2026-04-01T11:05:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T03:05:44","slug":"climate-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/climate-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate\u00a0anxiety\u00a0is real:\u00a0eight ways to\u00a0take action\u00a0without burning out\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As extreme weather events become more frequent and the realities of climate change&nbsp;crystallise, more people are grappling with feelings of fear,&nbsp;grief&nbsp;and helplessness about the future of our planet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing is certain:<strong>&nbsp;climate anxiety is real.&nbsp;<\/strong>And for many of us,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;something we already know all too well.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/6kpf3BNcfPi9wBONYVNuSS?si=35af9273a2ca44c3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Future Of Climate Anxiety<\/em><\/a>, we&nbsp;spoke&nbsp;with Associate Professor Jayne Bryant, Director of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute,&nbsp;to explore climate anxiety and how each of us can turn those feelings into meaningful action \u2013 in our own lives and communities&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s&nbsp;a&nbsp;snippet of the conversation. You can also listen to the full episode by clicking below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n<iframe data-testid=\"embed-iframe\" style=\"border-radius:12px\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/episode\/6kpf3BNcfPi9wBONYVNuSS?utm_source=generator&#038;theme=0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameBorder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe> \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is climate anxiety?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate anxiety is the sense of distress, overwhelm or dread that comes from understanding the&nbsp;consequences&nbsp;of climate change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s that sudden realisation that the way you&#8217;re living your life and the values upon which we&#8217;ve based everything might not work moving forward.&nbsp;That&#8217;s&nbsp;pretty confronting,&#8221; explains Jayne.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Climate change is one of the most significant issues that we need to deal with \u2013 but it&#8217;s a symptom of our unsustainability on Earth.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does climate anxiety turn into action?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jayne is clear: you&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;have to choose between feeling anxious and&nbsp;taking action.&nbsp;But having those feelings may help you&nbsp;in the long run.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Honestly, if I didn&#8217;t discover this thing and get upset and stressed about it, I wouldn&#8217;t have made any change myself,&#8221; she admits.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;When you truly investigate the climate crisis, the reality is so disturbing that if you actually get it, you&#8217;ll be upset. And that&#8217;s the first step&nbsp;for many people&nbsp;towards making change.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jayne describes three common responses to experiences of climate anxiety: denial,&nbsp;despair&nbsp;and action.&nbsp;It&#8217;s&nbsp;that third response \u2013 what philosopher Joanna Macy calls &#8220;active hope&#8221; \u2013 that Jayne advocates for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We have more power than we think if we choose to use it,\u201d says Jayne. \u201cAnd isn&#8217;t it a better&nbsp;way to live a&nbsp;life&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;to be moving towards something that you value,&nbsp;care about, to live a life&nbsp;trying to&nbsp;create something&nbsp;better&nbsp;in the world?&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"901\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-6-901x500.png\" alt=\"Aerial view of a dense green forest arranged in the shape of a globe, with patches of mist drifting above the trees.\n\" class=\"wp-image-30826\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Climate anxiety can be a powerful catalyst for action \u2013 moving people from awareness and overwhelm toward meaningful change.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How&nbsp;to&nbsp;cope&nbsp;with climate anxiety&nbsp;and avoid burnout&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11625-022-01288-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jayne\u2019s research on the \u2018inner dimension\u2019 of sustainability work<\/a>&nbsp;identified&nbsp;eight qualities that help people manage climate anxiety, eco-anxiety&nbsp;and climate grief \u2013 and&nbsp;take action&nbsp;in their own way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Practice&nbsp;self-regulation<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate-related work is emotionally demanding \u2013 feelings like disappointment and frustration are often&nbsp;a part of it.&nbsp;Jayne describes self-regulation as learning how to \u201cdo the work, experience the disappointment, get knocked back, process that and then keep moving forward.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Look after your wellbeing<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Described as the ability to \u2018ensure the mental, physical and emotional resources required\u2019&nbsp;for sustainability work,&nbsp;wellbeing was one of the most significant capacities&nbsp;identified&nbsp;in Jayne\u2019s research.<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;Sustaining&nbsp;climate action over the long term&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;possible if&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;running on empty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Deeply value&nbsp;other human beings<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jayne means everyone,&nbsp;\u201cNot just those who are like me. All of them. All of us.\u201d&nbsp;In the context of climate action, deeply valuing other human beings means recognising that the crisis affects everyone \u2013 and that solving it requires&nbsp;collective effort.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Show up as your full self<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s not do caricatures of ourselves \u2013 let\u2019s show up&nbsp;honestly and authentically,\u201d says Jayne.&nbsp;She highlights how instigating&nbsp;and sustaining&nbsp;change means bringing your unique strengths to the table.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <strong>Hold complexity<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate change&nbsp;doesn&#8217;t&nbsp;have a single cause or final solution, and sitting with that reality \u2013 without feeling stuck \u2013 is its own skill. As Jayne&nbsp;explains,&nbsp;\u201cRight now,&nbsp;we have to accept and exist in an imperfect&nbsp;world,&nbsp;and&nbsp;still try to&nbsp;make it better.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. <strong>Letting things be<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Letting things&nbsp;be&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;giving up \u2013&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;picking your battles.&nbsp;\u201cLearning to shrug the shoulders if you need to, go for a walk on the beach and just&nbsp;accept&nbsp;how it is,\u201d says Jayne. \u201cBecause things can\u2019t always be perfect.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. <strong>Persisting with lightness (including humour)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Heavy topics&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;necessarily&nbsp;require&nbsp;a sombre mood.&nbsp;Light-heartedness can help you stay in the work&nbsp;in the long&nbsp;term.&nbsp;\u201cPersisting with lightness&nbsp;is crucial&nbsp;\u2013 see if you can find that humour sometimes,\u201d Jayne says.&nbsp;And the fact that we get to live a life of meaning and purpose is a gift.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. <strong>Maintaining a learner\u2019s mindset<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of being calloused, why not get curious? A learner\u2019s mindset is&nbsp;essentially seeing&nbsp;challenges as opportunities to grow \u2013 and&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;key to resilience, especially in the face of something as big and,&nbsp;let\u2019s&nbsp;be honest, scary as climate change.&nbsp;\u201cAlways be curious&nbsp;\u2013 we\u2019re&nbsp;constantly&nbsp;just beginning&nbsp;\u2013&nbsp;listen to others,&nbsp;and stay open,\u201d says Jayne.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does sustainability action and contribution&nbsp;look&nbsp;like in practice?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jayne offers an analogy that reframes the whole question of individual contribution.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAs a musician \u2013 or someone conducting an orchestra \u2013 you bring musicians who have all their different instruments together to this one song or one piece. You work collectively, but you all play your own part in it\u2026&nbsp;that is how I approach sustainability.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cI think the real question is, how do we move towards something collectively but using our own strengths to do that?\u201d&nbsp;Jayne explains.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Taking&nbsp;action&nbsp;on&nbsp;climate&nbsp;anxiety&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate anxiety is a response to the scale of the crisis we face.&nbsp;But,&nbsp;as Jayne Bryant&#8217;s own journey&nbsp;demonstrates&nbsp;sometimes the distress of really confronting climate change can be the very thing that&nbsp;compels&nbsp;us&nbsp;to make a positive&nbsp;contribution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main message of our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/6kpf3BNcfPi9wBONYVNuSS?si=35af9273a2ca44c3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Future Of Climate Anxiety<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>podcast episode: your feelings are valid, your contribution matters,&nbsp;and there is work for all of us.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n    <section class=\"block articles mimas-grid\" id=\"\" data-grid-type=\"full\" data-bg=\"gray\">\n            <div class=\"article\" >\n            \n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/TFO-device-1000px.jpg\"\n                 alt=\"\">\n\n            <div class=\"article__content\">\n                                <h2>Listen to the full conversation<\/h2>\n\n                <p>In the\u00a0episode, we discuss Jayne\u2019s fascinating journey to academia, sustainability leadership, and generational equity.\u00a0Don\u2019t\u00a0miss it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n                                                                                                        <div class=\"article__links\" data-link-style=\"default\">\n                                                                                                                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/6kpf3BNcfPi9wBONYVNuSS?si=35af9273a2ca44c3\u00a0\" target=\"\"\n                                   class=\"default\" aria-label=\"Listen now\">Listen now<span class=\"ico ico-arrow ico--deep-blue ico--small\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M15.71 2.29l-1.42 1.42L25.59 15H3v2h22.59l-11.3 11.29 1.42 1.42L29.41 16 15.71 2.29z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    \n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources and support&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Anxiety is a serious medical condition;&nbsp;if&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;experiencing anxiety, you&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;have to face it alone.&nbsp;For Curtin staff and students,&nbsp;we offer&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/students\/personal-support\/counselling-wellbeing\/wellbeing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wide range of mental health support services<\/a>&nbsp;to help you manage the&nbsp;ups and downs&nbsp;of life.&nbsp;There are also&nbsp;a number of&nbsp;free services that offer information and support,&nbsp;including&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondblue.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beyond Blue<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifeline.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lifeline<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>References&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ayers, J., Missimer, M.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bryant, J, \u201cIntrapersonal capacities for sustainability: a change agent perspective on the \u2018inner dimension\u2019 of sustainability work,\u201d&nbsp;<em>Sustain Sci<\/em>, 2023,<em>&nbsp;<\/em>18, 1181\u20131197,&nbsp;doi.org\/10.1007\/s11625-022-01288-8.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As extreme weather events become more frequent and the realities of climate change&nbsp;crystallise, more people 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20:55:24","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4477"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30825"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30825\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30825"},{"taxonomy":"research-areas","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-areas?post=30825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}