Worrying about pollution or natural disasters, feeling powerless in the face of global warming, struggling to imagine the future… Researchers say these symptoms may reflect a form of ecological distress known as eco-anxiety.

Europeans are particularly affected: according to an October 2023 survey published in the European Journal of Public Health, nearly 43 % say they are “very” or “extremely worried” about climate change.

Young people hit hardest

In France, 15 % of the population is “starting to experience symptoms” of eco-anxiety, according to an April 2025 study by the French Observatory of Eco-Anxiety (OBSECA), and 5 % say they require psychological support.

Across Europe, Portugal is the most affected country, with an April 2025 BMJ Mental Health study reporting that close to 64 % of Portuguese people are worried about climate change. That's two in every three people surveyed.

Young people are — perhaps unsurprisingly — the most affected, largely because they are highly exposed to alarming information about climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. According to the French journal Médecine de catastrophe – Urgences collectives (June 2024), this can even impact their academic performance and social relationships.

Changing our perspective on the environment

But experts emphasise that eco-anxiety is not inevitable — it can be managed. They recommend channelling the negative energy of eco-anxiety into positive, resilient action. In other words, we should adopt a caring attitude toward the environment and become more aware of the actions we can take to protect the planet.

And why not start at an early age? Organisations that run these types of initiatives do exist, and they are supported by the European Union.

One example is the educational farm in Aubergenville, in the Paris region, which welcomes children throughout the year to help them connect with nature and animals. To find out how they do it, watch our video at the top of the article.

Justine Hagard