Suffering from Eco-Paralysis? Here’s What You Can Do
Climate emotions are the gateway to meaningful action.
From the anti-dommer MindsetOriginally published on Psychology Today · April 22, 2026
Concern about climate change does not always translate into action. For many people, the scale and urgency of the climate crisis can instead create a sense of being stuck, numb, or overwhelmed.
In this article for The Anti-Doomer Mindset on Psychology Today, Ariella Cook-Shonkoff explores eco-paralysis, the experience of caring deeply about environmental problems while struggling to know what to do next. She frames this response not as indifference, but as a sign that difficult climate emotions may need space to be acknowledged rather than pushed aside.
The article also emphasizes that the climate crisis cannot be addressed through individual responsibility alone. Naming and sharing emotions, reconnecting with others, and participating in collective forms of engagement can help restore a sense of agency and make meaningful action feel more possible.
Key IdeasRecognize eco-paralysis for what it is
Feeling stuck, numb, or overwhelmed in response to the climate crisis does not necessarily mean someone does not care. Eco-paralysis can be a rational response to a problem that feels enormous and difficult to control.
Make space for climate emotions
Grief, fear, anger, and overwhelm can become harder to carry when they are ignored or isolated. Acknowledging and sharing those emotions can help people reconnect with what matters to them and with others who share their concerns.
Move toward collective engagement
The climate crisis is a systemic problem, not an individual burden. Meaningful engagement can include finding community, participating in supportive conversations, and contributing to collective action rather than trying to solve the problem alone.
If you are parenting through this, Raising Anti-Doomers offers language and practical tools for talking with children about climate change without handing them the full weight of the problem.
Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, MFT, ATR
Ariella is a licensed marriage and family therapist, registered art therapist, author, and speaker. She writes and teaches on climate anxiety, parenting, and building resilience in families navigating an uncertain world.