Forecasting potential lifestyle changes based on ecoanxiety could result in significant drops in birth rates and economic aspirations as society adjusts to environmental challenges.
Can apprehensions related to nature and climate be used to anticipate future social trends, similar to how consumer outlook influences spending and investments?
This idea is presented in the Cell Press journal One Earth, by Professor Emeritus Ralf Buckley from Griffith University, in an advance look at a study led by Professor Thomas Pienkowski in the UK.
The Financial and Health Consequences of Anxiety
Professor Buckley highlighted that the global Global Burden of Disease Study indicated a prevalent and worsening condition of anxiety and depression.
“The economic ramifications amount to up to 16% of the worldwide GDP, resulting in an average loss of 19 days per individual annually,” noted Professor Buckley.
“Various factors contribute to this, including ongoing climate, biodiversity, and livelihood crises.
Eco-Anxiety and Societal Influences
“Professor Pienkowski’s study emphasizes that medical responses such as therapy and medications address only symptoms, without tackling the root social causes.
“Anxiety and its economic repercussions are likely to continue rising until fundamental changes are implemented within global economic and political frameworks.”
Professor Buckley proposed that we could assess people’s anticipations of global futures by analyzing the existing forms and intensities of eco-anxiety.
Preferences in Living and Eco-Anxiety
“Higher levels of anxiety could result in a greater adoption of simpler lifestyles, with reduced family sizes and more modest financial objectives,” he observed.
“These large-scale societal adjustments are crucial for lessening human impacts on the planet, especially as the Earth struggles to support its continuously expanding population.”
Hence, Professor Buckley recommended monitoring changes in the various aspects of eco-anxiety and correlating them with lifestyle preferences to predict the probable global alterations across billions of individuals.
The commentary titled ‘Immediate economic significance of nature, climate, and livelihood anxieties’ is now available in One Earth.
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