Feeling very anxious about climate change? Spend time among trees

We’re all familiar with the big consequences of climate change. Heatwaves and floods are becoming more and more common. Globally, last year was the warmest since records began in 1850 at 1.18C above the 20th-century average of 13.9C.

Climate change is also negatively affecting our bodies and brains. Although these effects are less obvious, they are very important for our health and wellbeing.

The incidence of diseases linked to problems with our immune systems have been going up. Nose allergies in children have doubled between 2012 and 2022. Food allergies have also risen. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis have also increased by 14pc since 1990.

Scientists are increasingly wondering whether climate change might be part of the reason. Things like eating too much processed food and lack of exercise are also likely to be involved. Living in a world that’s too clean might also be important, since it’s well-known that a bit of dirt in childhood helps train the immune system to behave itself and not overreact, which is what happens in allergies and in autoimmune diseases.

But there is also strong evidence that changes in the environment due to climate change are important for the rise of diseases involving your immune system. Wildfires lead to large amounts of soot being put into the air which we breathe in, harming our lungs. Flooding can give rise to more industrial chemicals ending up in the water which we then drink, harming our digestive system. Global warming can also lead to an overgrowth of plants like ragweed which release lots of pollen. All of these things irritate your immune system.

In some parts of the world, high temperatures can destroy crops and livestock. Plants such as wheat, corn and rice become less nutritious when carbon dioxide levels in the air are high. People mightn’t notice it, but they might become malnourished and that can also damage their immune systems.

What seems to be happening is that our immune systems are being harmed. That can increase allergy risks but also inflammation, which then promotes diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease and even cancer. And it’s not just our immune systems – our minds can also be harmed. There’s increasing evidence that climate change is making many of us anxious, increasing the risk of depression.

A large survey involving 10,000 young people was carried out in 2021. Almost half of the 16- to 25-year-olds who took part said they felt sad, anxious or powerless because of climate change. More seriously, increasing temperatures have been linked to an increased risk of suicide. A 2018 study from the United States and Mexico held over 20 years concluded that a 1C increase in average monthly temperature could be linked to an increase in the suicide rate of 0.7pc in the US and 2.1pc in Mexico. It’s not clear why this is, but it’s possible that sleep disruption in vulnerable people might be part of the reason.

All of this gives us yet another reason to do our best with our governments to help slow climate change.

Scientists have concluded that every $1 (€0.94) spent on limiting climate change would save $3 in healthcare costs. In the 1980s and 1990s, the US government mandated a limit in noxious particles in the air. This led to a decrease in the incidence of asthma in children in California of 20pc. In Seoul, South Korea, clean air policies have led to half a million less hospital visits over four years. There are, therefore, clear financial and health benefits for countries adopting climate change mitigation measures.

One thing governments can do is plant more trees. The EU is behind this, with its bid to plant three billion additional trees by 2030. If the average level of tree cover in European cities was increased from the European average of 14.9pc to 30pc it is predicted this would lower the temperature in cities by 0.4C or more, which could reduce heat-related deaths by a staggering 39.5pc.

The cooling effect of trees would also reduce the need for air conditioning by as much as 30pc, saving on electricity and carbon emissions. A study in 2015 estimated out of the 6,700 premature deaths that year blamed on higher urban temperatures, 2,644 could have been prevented had tree cover been increased.

Another study, published by UCD a few years ago, revealed Dublin only has 10pc tree canopy coverage. A disparity was seen between the number of trees in north Dublin versus south Dublin. Fingal County Council reported 9.8pc tree coverage while the figure for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was 16.38pc. There are ambitious plans to increase tree coverage in Dublin overall to 15pc.

Trees bring other benefits. Several studies have shown that just seeing and smelling trees benefits our mental health. The Japanese are strong advocates for what is called “shinrin-yoku” which translates as forest bathing. Being calm and quiet among trees has been shown to help both adults and children de-stress, boosting health and well-being in a natural way.

What should you do if you’re suffering from eco-anxiety? Take part in campaign groups with like-minded people. And limit the amount of time you spend “doom-scrolling” through climate news. A campaigner has said: “It is essential for scientists, clinicians, journalists, politicians — anyone with a platform, really — to keep explaining to the public that climate change affects the body, too.”

We must support our Government and the EU commission in its policies to mitigate against climate change. In the meantime, if you can, spend time among trees. Your immune system and mind will thank you.

Our bodies are also negatively affected by global warming