Climate burnout and its unwanted offerings

As awareness of the climate crisis grows, so does the phenomenon of “climate burnout.” This form of emotional exhaustion is increasingly affecting many, especially students, who feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem and frustrated by the lack of meaningful action. The sheer scale of environmental disasters, melting ice caps, extreme weather events, and, most importantly, political inaction have led many to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and ultimately burnt out. Unlike traditional burnout, which stems from overworking or chronic stress, climate burnout occurs from one’s awareness of the growing environmental threat and the perception of personal insignificance in addressing it. 

Climate burnout becomes a state of mental fatigue brought on by prolonged, draining engagement with the climate crisis. It can bring on feelings of hopelessness, powerlessness, and frustration – particularly when individuals feel their personal efforts to help the crisis are ineffective or unsubstantial. As active participants in climate activism and advocacy, students often feel a heightened sense of responsibility. From a young age, students have been given the added burden of championing the ‘future generation’. This tells us that ultimately, it is up to us to undo all that has come before. It is unsurprising then, that the dissonance between students’ desire to make a difference and ineffective governmental and corporate actions exacerbate feelings of frustration, anxiety, and hopelessness. This disconnect leads to emotional withdrawal, making it difficult to remain motivated in the fight against climate change whatsoever.  

When climate activism feels like an uphill battle, burnout and disengagement are common and dangerous outcomes.  

A major contributor to climate burnout is a sense of insignificance. As an individual, I, often feel like no matter how much I try to recycle, protest, or reduce my carbon footprint, the impact becomes minuscule compared to the larger systemic forces at play. This sense of powerlessness is paired with frustration over the sluggish pace of policy change. The  lack of prompt, radical action makes it easy to question whether personal efforts in helping the climate matter at all. When climate activism feels like an uphill battle, burnout and disengagement are common and dangerous outcomes.  

Research on climate burnout is ongoing. Finders University notably conducted extensive research, with a new report titled “Thinking about the Future”. Their findings show that climate burnout often leads to emotional numbness or a tendency to disengage from climate discussions completely. This disengagement weakens the momentum of climate activism – the less collective pressure we place on policymakers, the harder it becomes to speed up political progress towards a greener future. Yet, the study also revealed that when forced to consider pragmatic steps alongside the collective action to push institutions for change, many felt overwhelmed and disconnected from the cause. 

Climate burnout is being recognized not only as an environmental and psychological issue but also as a public health concern

The research emphasises that climate burnout is not just an individual issue but also a collective one. When entire communities, particularly those vulnerable to environmental disasters, experience repeated trauma from climate-related events, the emotional toll becomes magnified. As a result, climate burnout is being recognized not only as an environmental and psychological issue but also as a public health concern. 

Frustration is also furthered by the slow pace of change from policymakers and corporations. Activists and concerned individuals often call for immediate action, only to see little movement or, worse, backpedalling on environmental promises. The disconnect between the urgent need for solutions and the reality of delayed action deepens the feelings of hopelessness, while neglecting to see climate action as a long-term fight.  

Staying informed about climate issues remains crucial. The world will not end overnight, and it is important to remember that we still have control over how extreme climate change becomes, even if the crisis is unavoidable. To reduce burnout itself, it is important to strike a balance – while it is essential to understand the present challenges, it is equally vital to seek out stories of progress, innovation, and hope. Focusing on solutions and the positive steps being taken around the world can help maintain motivation and a sense of possibility in the face of the climate crisis.