The climate anxiety compass: A framework to map the solution space for coping with climate anxiety

Witnessing the rapidly unfolding consequences of climate change, many people feel worried, stressed and anxious. While many suggestions on how to cope with climate anxiety have been proposed, the literature lacks a theory-informed framework that structures and integrates different coping strategies. We introduce the Climate Anxiety Compass: a framework that classifies strategies individuals can use to cope with climate anxiety along three dimensions: (a) problem-focused (targeting climate change and its consequences) or emotion-focused (targeting the emotions and stress caused by climate change), (b) mitigation (reducing or avoiding the stressor) or adaptation (preparing for, adjusting to, and learning to live with the stressor), and (c) individually oriented or collectively oriented. Together, the Climate Anxiety Compass identifies eight distinct types of coping strategies. The Climate Anxiety Compass can help people who experience climate anxiety explore different coping options and help structure future research into which strategies and interventions are most effective.