The scale of the crisis is taking a toll on our mental well being

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Impact climate change is having on the whole world from a physical, economic and social perspective continues to be well documented but the impact it has on us from a psychological perspective is, perhaps, not quite so widely considered. Photograph: iStock
Impact climate change is having on the whole world from a physical, economic and social perspective continues to be well documented but the impact it has on us from a psychological perspective is, perhaps, not quite so widely considered. Photograph: iStock

With temperatures and sea levels rising and extreme and once in a lifetime weather events becoming almost routine, it is easy for people to become overwhelmed by the scale of the climate crisis facing the world.

But while the existential threat has focussed minds and seen more people becoming environmental activists than ever before, it is also increasingly common for people to be bury their heads in the sand and try and deny – to themselves and others - what it happening to the planet.

The impact climate change is having on the whole world from a physical, economic and social perspective continues to be well documented but the impact it has on us from a psychological perspective is, perhaps, not quite so widely considered.

Irish Times columnist and psychologist John Sharry has been observing how the world has been responding to the scale of the climate change crisis and he talks to In The News about how people are thinking about the issue and what impact the issue is having on our mental wellbeing.

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And he highlights how we might better handle the overwhelming nature of the climate change crisis.

Conor Pope

Conor Pope

Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor