Living with Climate Anxiety and Wildfires: An Anxiety Therapist’s Perspective on Managing Fear When You're Safe but Worried
As an anxiety therapist in Oakland, CA, I’ve noticed a growing trend: more and more people are expressing anxiety about climate change. Wildfires, rising temperatures, and worsening air quality are no longer rare occurrences—they’ve become a regular reality for nearly every community in our state. In other words, no one is entirely untouched by the impact of climate change. However, it’s important to acknowledge that climate change disproportionately affects BIPOC individuals in frontline communities, including those in Oakland.
Even if the flames never reach your neighborhood, the sight of smoky skies, evacuation warnings, or heartbreaking images on the news can stir up a storm of worry. You may be physically safe, but the anxiety about your safety, the well-being of loved ones, and the grief over changes in the natural world can still take a significant emotional toll. Let’s be clear: being concerned about the loss of life and the uncertainty caused by climate change is not an overreaction. It’s a logical response to real challenges and the rapid changes we’re all experiencing.
Taking the time to explore how climate change impacts you personally can help you better understand and manage these feelings. Together, we can focus on developing coping strategies that ground you and create a sense of peace—even in the midst of very real concerns and distress.
What Is Climate Anxiety?
Climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is the chronic worry, fear, or distress about the impact of climate change on the planet and our future. While climate anxiety is becoming more universal, it’s particularly common in places like California, where environmental disasters such as wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat waves occur with increasing frequency. These events aren’t just headline news—they’re part of everyday life for many Californians.
Living in close proximity to environmental disasters can take a significant psychological toll. For example, constantly smelling smoke in the air, hearing evacuation alerts, or seeing charred landscapes can create a lingering sense of unease, even if your personal safety is never immediately threatened. This heightened awareness of climate-related risks, combined with feelings of helplessness or grief for the natural world, often fuels climate anxiety.
Understanding the psychological effects of living in an environment so deeply connected to climate catastrophes is the first step toward managing these complex emotions. Recognizing that indirect anxiety is a valid and normal response to our changing world can help you begin to navigate and process these feelings in a healthier way. Some people may experience physical symptoms of anxiety, and, if their climate anxiety is severe, may have more difficulty functioning at work or at school.
Can You Experience Anxiety About Wildfires Even If You’re Not Directly Affected?
Absolutely. Witnessing environmental disasters - even from a distance - can impact Mental Health. While it’s true that experiencing a natural disaster firsthand, like losing a home to a wildfire, is a deep trauma, witnessing environmental disasters from a distance impacts your mental health. In fact, being exposed to images and stories of destruction—whether it’s through the news, social media, or even hearing about it from loved ones—can trigger feelings of helplessness, worry, and grief. The constant exposure to these events can create a lingering sense of unease, as you might feel like you're always on edge, wondering if or when it could happen to you. This form of anxiety is different from direct trauma but can be just as overwhelming. For instance, someone living hundreds of miles away from the immediate reach of the Los Angeles wildfires might still find themselves checking air quality reports daily, fearing that nearby fires will threaten their community. That constant vigilance—watching for evacuation warnings, checking smoke levels, or experiencing heightened stress whenever a fire is nearby—can affect day-to-day life. It’s like being caught in a cycle of worry about what might happen next—whether it’s the safety of your family, the loss of your community, or the increasingly unpredictable climate. Understanding that these feelings are normal and valid, even when you’re not directly impacted, is crucial for working through them in healthy ways.
Why Does Climate Anxiety Often Lead to Feelings of Guilt?
Climate anxiety can bring up feelings of guilt, especially when you’re deeply concerned about the environment and feel powerless to make a meaningful difference. For many, the awareness of how human activities contribute to climate change can lead to a sense of responsibility—or even blame—about the state of the planet. This guilt often stems from the recognition that we all share in the collective impact of environmental destruction, even if we don’t directly contribute to harmful behaviors. People may feel guilty about not doing enough to reduce their carbon footprint, or about their everyday conveniences that contribute to climate change. On top of that, the fear of leaving a damaged planet for future generations can intensify the emotional burden. These feelings of guilt are compounded when someone’s personal anxiety about climate change feels at odds with the reality that others may not be as concerned, which can also create a sense of isolation. Understanding that it’s normal to feel guilt, but also recognizing that guilt doesn’t help move us toward change, is an important step in releasing some of that weight and focusing on what we can control.
An Anxiety Therapist’s Take on Why Climate Anxiety Feels So Overwhelming
The constant onslaught of news about climate catastrophes- wildfires, floods, and extreme weather events- can quickly amplify feelings of helplessness and overwhelm. Social media and 24/7 news cycles make it impossible to avoid images of destruction, which can trigger an emotional response of fear and stress. When we're continually and involuntarily exposed to vivid images of natural disasters and catastrophes of enormous magnitudes, our brains interpret these as immediate threats—even if we're not directly in harm’s way. This leads to the activation of our fight-flight-freeze response, the body’s natural reaction to perceived danger.
For example, if you are someone who is living far from where the wildfires are raging in Northern California, you may begin to feel panicked when the air quality worsens or when the dry season begins even though you are physically safe. Racing thoughts of “What if a fire comes here?” or “What if my loved ones are in danger?” may become difficult to suppress creating constant vigilance that could look like checking the news obsessively or monitoring air quality apps - further triggering their fight-or-flight response. This is a trauma response. It's as if the body believes the threat is imminent, even though you are not in imminent danger. The emotional toll of this ongoing heightened state of being on the lookout fo danger can leave you feeling fatigued, hopeless, and isolated, unable to break free from the cycle of anxiety and overwhelm.
In addition, the sheer scale of climate change, combined with feelings of guilt and helplessness about its global impact, can make anxiety feel even more unmanageable
Why do climate catastrophes make me feel so helpless and overwhelmed?
Climate catastrophes often leave us feeling helpless and overwhelmed because they are massive, global events that seem beyond our control. The scale of the destruction—whether it's wildfires, floods, or droughts—can feel too immense for any individual to address on their own. This sense of powerlessness triggers emotional and physiological responses, like anxiety, helplessness, and fear. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when we see these events playing out across news stories and social media, where their intensity and immediacy are constantly highlighted. The more we witness the damage and suffering, the more we may struggle to make sense of our own small place in a world that feels out of control. On top of this, fossil fuel companies often shift the blame to individuals, making us feel overly responsible for our behavior in contributing to climate change. This sense of guilt can compound feelings of helplessness. Additionally, the disconnection that comes from not having others to talk to about climate change or feeling like others don't share your worries only adds to the overwhelming nature of it all. The isolation of these emotions can make it seem as if you're carrying the weight of the world alone.
What are the signs that climate anxiety is affecting your mental health?
Climate anxiety can affect your mental health in several subtle and overt ways. One of the most common signs is persistent worry or intrusive thoughts about future climate events, like wildfires, rising sea levels, or natural disasters. You may find yourself constantly checking the news, social media, or weather reports for updates, which can create a cycle of stress. Physically, this anxiety can show up as symptoms like racing heartbeats, shallow breathing, or difficulty sleeping—signs that your body is responding to perceived threats. Emotionally, you might experience feelings of helplessness, sadness, or irritability, as the enormity of climate change makes it difficult to feel empowered or hopeful. If you’re avoiding social situations, feeling overwhelmed by the news, or experiencing a general sense of dread about the future, it’s possible that climate anxiety is impacting your day-to-day well-being. If these feelings start to interfere with your relationships or ability to focus at work or school, it’s important to acknowledge them and consider ways to manage the stress before it becomes even more debilitating.
An Anxiety Therapist Talks About How to Cope with Climate Anxiety
Get Out Into Nature and Be a Steward of the Land: Spending time in nature is crucial for managing climate anxiety, offering both calm and connection to the environment. Whether you're walking in a park, hiking, or gardening, being outdoors reduces stress and helps reset your nervous system. Additionally, actively caring for the environment—by volunteering for clean-up efforts, planting trees, or reducing waste—fosters a sense of agency and positive impact, empowering you to play a part in environmental stewardship, which can alleviate feelings of helplessness.
Avoid catastrophizing when possible - try your best to remind yourself that while climate change has been and can be catastrophic, total catastrophe is not a guarantee. Try to avoid jumping to the worst case scenario and being convinced that total catastrophe is inevitable. We actually don’t know the future, so significant negative predictions as if the future is set is stone only fuels climate anxiety.
Feel and accept your feelings - rather than jumping to worry about the future, pay attention to what you are feeling about what has already occurred and what you are experiencing in the present. It’s normal, healthy and essential to feel grief, loss and sadness. Accepting reality is SO important to finding a way forward. This only happens when we are able to acknowledge the ways we are impacted by climate change. Explore your fears and determine how realistic they are. If you are afraid of disaster striking (and there’s a real probability this could occur), then do what you can to prepare for an emergency.
Limit Your Exposure to Stressful Media - Control the information you consume and seek out positive climate news.
Engage in Grounding and Stress-Relief Practices - Engaging in grounding and stress-relief practices is crucial to managing climate anxiety. Mindfulness exercises and deep breathing can help bring your focus back to the present moment and alleviate stress. Taking nature walks, even if it’s just around the block, can connect you to the earth and offer a sense of calm. Creative activities like painting, journaling, or crafting can provide an emotional outlet, offering a sense of accomplishment and joy while temporarily redirecting your mind from anxious thoughts. Laugh. You want to give your mind somewhere to focus. Grounding exercises, progressive relaxation, and anything that requires focus can distract your mind from repetitive worry thoughts.
Take Small, Meaningful Actions: Finding small ways to contribute to environmental sustainability can be empowering. Whether it's volunteering, donating to environmental causes, or supporting local green initiatives, these actions help mitigate feelings of helplessness. It’s not about grand gestures but about taking small steps that align with your values. Additionally, seeking out a community of like-minded people can amplify the impact of these actions. Being around others who share your concern can reduce isolation, foster a sense of collective responsibility, and strengthen your own sense of agency.
How to Instill Hope in the Face of Uncertainty
Staying hopeful amidst the ongoing challenges of climate change is possible when you focus on stories of resilience and progress. Communities in California have shown incredible strength in rebuilding after wildfires and floods, with individuals coming together to restore local environments and support each other. Advances in climate science and policies are paving the way for sustainable solutions, from renewable energy to better disaster preparedness. When you reframe climate anxiety, it can serve as a motivator for positive action, helping you feel empowered to contribute to the solutions that can build a better, more resilient future. Find a cause you care about or an important value you want to exercise and start there.
How do I talk about my climate anxiety with friends or family?
Talking about climate anxiety with friends or family can be challenging, but it’s important to open up and share your concerns. You may be surprised that others may share some of your feelings and anxieties. Start by expressing how climate change affects you personally and why it causes distress, emphasizing that it’s a normal response to a real issue. Use “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory, like “I feel anxious when I think about the future of the planet.” Encouraging an open dialogue can help others understand your emotions and allow them to express their own feelings, fostering connection and support.
When to Seek Help from a Therapist
If you’re avoiding social situations, feeling overwhelmed by the news, or experiencing a general sense of dread about the future, it’s possible that climate anxiety is impacting your day-to-day well-being. Signs that climate anxiety is affecting your mental health include difficulty functioning at work, strained relationships, or persistent feelings of fear and helplessness.If climate concerns are paralyzing you and impacting your daily life, seeking professional help from a therapist can provide relief and help you manage the stress before it becomes even more debilitating.
Contact me for a free 15-minute consultation for anxiety therapy in Oakland, and let’s begin healing and tending to your well-being.
Lara Clayman, anxiety therapist Oakland
Hi! I’m Lara Clayman
As an anxiety therapist in Oakland, I can help you process overwhelming climate emotions and build tools to manage your climate anxiety and despair. I specialize in working with anxiety, trauma, and mixed race and multicultural adults. Contact me for a free 15 minute consultation to regain control over your anxiety and reconnect with who you are. For Californians, online therapy options is a convenient and accessible way to get the support you need, wherever you are in the state.
