Children and young people need to find a “Goldilocks” level of anxiety to cope with climate change — where it does not harm their mental health but still motivates them to take action, an expert has said.
Young people have often been told that emotions like anxiety or depression are bad, but they are actually very reasonable feelings in the face of the climate crisis, said Dr Britt Wray, an instructor in psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford University.
She said children should be taught how to handle their emotions in relation to the threat of climate change, and that this should start in the classroom.
Speaking at the Frontiers Forum on science-led solutions for healthy lives and a healthy planet in Switzerland, Dr Wray said: “As researchers we’re kind of looking for this ‘Goldilocks’ level of climate anxiety.
“It’s like, how can we get not too much but not too little, where we can tap into its potential to increase people’s sense of agency to step out and do something bold to be part of the movement, but not harm their mental health?”
The Goldilocks “just right” principle references The Three Bears fairy tale, in which the heroine Goldilocks tastes three bowls of porridge in the bears' home. One is too hot, another too cold, but the third is just the right temperature.
In 2021 the term eco-anxiety made its way into the new edition of the Oxford English Dictionary to describe the unease or apprehension about current and future harm to the environment.
Research suggests young people around the world feel an increasing sense of dread and distress related to climate concerns.
This could lead to anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and some even questioning whether or not they want to have children in the current climate.
However, Dr Wray, a mental health and climate change researcher, explained there are a number of factors that could help young people achieve a balance.
She said finding like-minded people can help validate people’s feelings, and make them feel less alone.
“That certainly helps with getting people to that ‘Goldilocks’ state where they can handle it and then ideally channel it into pro environmental actions,” said Dr Wray.
According to the researcher, a number of different tools can help young people deal with these feelings, including mindfulness, meditation, spending time in nature, or speaking to climate-aware therapists.
Dr Britt said: “It’s about finding ways to engage with the climate crisis, but not taking on too much and knowing that it’s important to be able to take breaks from it so you can focus on all the other cool things in life and be joyful.”
In the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey published by the UK's Office for National Statistics last October around three in four adults reported feeling worried about climate change.
Meanwhile, a study published in the The Lancet medical journal surveyed 10,000 children and young people in Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, the UK, and the USA.
It found that eco-anxiety was not limited to rich people in the West, with 59 per cent saying they were very or extremely worried and 84 per cent were at least moderately worried.
More than 50 per cent reported each of the following emotions: sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty.
Some institutions in the UK have already started offering mindfulness courses to help ease the eco-anxiety of their students.
In October last year the University of East Anglia announced that it was launching a course of six weekly sessions.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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'Cheb%20Khaled'
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LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
More on animal trafficking
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The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
