Chapter 1: The Emergence of Solastalgia

In the early 2000s, Australia faced a relentless heat wave coupled with an ongoing drought. This extreme weather drastically altered the landscape and daily life, resulting in failed crops, dying coral reefs, and government-imposed water restrictions. Philosopher Glenn Albrecht observed a troubling trend among residents in drought-stricken regions: a rise in depressive feelings.

The emotional distress stemmed from witnessing their once-stable environment deteriorate. While they understood that weather could be unpredictable, the prolonged nature of these changes felt more ominous and permanent. The familiar world they had known was disappearing, leaving them in a state of unease.

This led Albrecht to recognize a new emotional state akin to homesickness, even though people had not physically relocated. Their home was changing around them, prompting him to introduce the term “Solastalgia” in 2003. This term is derived from Latin, combining “solari” for comfort and “solus” for devastation, with “algia” meaning pain or suffering.

Albrecht articulated that “Solastalgia” represents a type of homesickness experienced while still at home. In 2007, I spoke with Albrecht for Wired, during which he predicted that as climate change continued to reshape local environments, more individuals globally would experience this emotion. He emphasized that even those in modern societies are more connected to their surroundings than they might believe.

“I think we consider ourselves modern, 21st-century beings, but our connection to the land remains significant,” he remarked. “We haven’t evolved that much.”

I wrote that column discussing solastalgia, emphasizing the need to prepare for climate change to influence not just our physical surroundings, but our psychological well-being. It was clear that climate change would emerge as a significant mental health crisis worldwide.

Fast forward fourteen years, and it appears that Albrecht’s insights were strikingly accurate. Alarmingly, research now indicates that individuals around the globe are grappling with climate grief.

Indigenous communities are particularly affected. Recent findings from Ashlee Cunsolo at the Labrador Institute highlight the plight of Tikigâksuagusik, a remote coastal Inuit village in Canada. Here, the residents have a profound connection to their environment, with centuries of traditions tied to hunting, fishing, and foraging.

However, the reality is harsh: the sea ice essential for their survival is rapidly vanishing. Labrador is warming faster than other regions in Canada, with temperatures rising significantly above the 1.5°C threshold. The duration of sea ice has dwindled from eight months to just five, and the quality of the ice has weakened. Such changes have led to a profound impact on mental health.

Cunsolo notes that this disconnection from their environment results in a pervasive sense of loss and escalating emotional issues. Residents report feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, and hopelessness, with rising rates of depression and substance abuse.

This phenomenon is not isolated to Tikigâksuagusik; it’s a common experience for indigenous groups worldwide. A recent analysis of 55 studies revealed a grim picture: mental health issues such as depression and anxiety were closely linked to climatic changes and extreme weather events.

In rural India, erratic weather patterns disrupt traditional farming practices, while in wealthier areas like coastal cities in the U.S., individuals describe ancestral homes becoming uninhabitable due to flooding, leading to a pervasive malaise.

Younger generations are also experiencing significant climate anxiety. A global study involving 10,000 youths found that 60% were deeply worried about climate change, with many reporting that these concerns affected their daily lives. Alarmingly, 77% felt that the future appeared frightening, particularly in lower-income countries.

Additionally, a survey of children in the U.K. revealed that 73% were concerned about the planet's state, and many expressed distrust in adults to address these challenges.

While solastalgia encapsulates a specific emotional response to climate change, young people also express feelings of anger and a sense of moral betrayal towards adults for their inaction on climate issues.

Nevertheless, “solastalgia” serves as an important term. It provides a means to articulate the complex feelings of witnessing environmental change.

The implications of this climate grief remain uncertain. It could lead to a sense of fatalism, where individuals question the effectiveness of their efforts in the face of overwhelming challenges. However, thinkers like Cunsolo believe this grief could motivate collective action, offering a moment of clarity about our predicament.

Cunsolo suggests that grief is a natural reaction to loss and can be pivotal in mobilizing responses to climate change. She remarked, “I see this moment as powerful, as more people come together in their grief.”

Acknowledging these emotions may spur individuals to confront uncomfortable realities. As Cunsolo co-authored in a Lancet article: recognizing the role of emotions in prompting action suggests that ecological anxiety and grief might serve as the catalyst necessary for transformative change.

Clive Thompson, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and a columnist for Wired, delves into these pressing issues. He is the author of several notable works, including Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World and Smarter Than You Think: How Technology Is Changing our Minds for the Better. He shares insights on Twitter and Instagram at @pomeranian99.

Chapter 2: The Emotional Landscape of Climate Grief

The first video, "Scientists describe grief, hope about climate change," explores the emotional responses individuals are experiencing as they confront the realities of climate change.

In the second video, "From Climate Grief to Hope: Collective action builds better systems," Stephanie A. Malin discusses how collective action can pave the way for systemic change.