Nature, mental health and eco-anxiety: Dr Emma Lawrance on building resilience for the future

For the Australian-born scientist, nature has always been central to her worldview  - growing up in the Adelaide Hills instilled her deep love of nature. 

She said: “I grew up surrounded by gum trees, koalas and birds.

“From a young age, nature was my playground. It was very obvious to me that we are part of nature, not apart from nature. My health and wellbeing benefited hugely from that relationship.”

Today, the climate crisis is testing that bond. With extreme weather events and shifting ecosystems increasingly in the headlines, people around the world are grappling with new emotional and psychological pressures.

Emma has reached out to young people across the world as part of her research.

“When young people self-reported that they had already experienced climate-related impacts, their eco-anxiety was higher,” Emma says. “Essentially, climate change is compounding the stresses that people already feel.”

She points to a worrying rise in mental ill-health among young people globally, caused by multiple factors - many of which overlap with climate impacts. 

It’s issues some of us might take for granted, including, strong communities, stable education, clean air, food and water security, social connections - being undermined by the changing climate.

Emma stresses that eco-anxiety is still a developing concept, but one that must be taken seriously. Crucially, she believes that giving young people the tools to navigate uncertainty and complexity is key.

“There is a lot to grieve and a lot to be fearful of,” she says. “But there is also a lot of joy, meaning and purpose still to be found. This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. We need to act in ways that are sustainable, collective, and that help us imagine the futures we want to create.”

For Emma, activism doesn’t only mean marching in the streets. It can be as simple as making everyday choices that ripple through the wider system. “The awareness of the climate crisis interacts with so many life decisions, including about our children’s future. It can feel overwhelming. But taking action, in whatever form, can help us feel more connected to ourselves, to others, and to nature.”

Her message is clear: telling the truth about the climate crisis must go hand in hand with highlighting the opportunities for resilience, creativity and hope. 

“When we hear stories about the amazing things happening, they can have big ripple effects,” she says. “In the midst of challenge, there’s an opportunity to lead richer lives - ones that make space for our emotions, deepen our connections, and help us find meaning and purpose.”