In the third session of Mad Campaigns Lab 2026, we explored the connections between climate crisis and mental ill-health. We were joined by panellists Tori Tsui, climate campaigner, and Hannah Hunt, climate and mental health campaigner.
Panel & Discussion
During our panel and discussion, Tori and Hannah talked us through eco-anxiety, explained the difference between climate justice and environmentalism, and reminded us that taking action on the climate crisis doesn’t have to be as hard as we might think.
‘Eco-anxiety’ can be thought of as a chronic fear of environmental breakdown or a symptom of a world that is not designed for the wellness of people or the planet. In other words, our mental health is connected to the world around us. While that isn’t to say that madness wouldn’t exist without climate breakdown, this perspective helps us to see climate action as a kind of mental health care.
Environmentalism is about fighting – and addressing the impacts of – climate change. Advocating for climate justice, however, means recognising that how much people are impacted by climate change depends on where they are in the world, what class they belong to and what resources they have access to. People of colour who live in the Global South, for example, are likely to be more at risk because their ecosystems have already suffered centuries of exploitation by colonial powers.
While the climate crisis is overwhelming to think about, it is important to recognise that this feeling means we are not living in a state of cognitive dissonance; it’s a healthy response to a problem of this scale. On top of this, as mad and Disabled people, we already have skills that the climate movement – and everybody else – needs in the face of climate breakdown. Building strong support networks, staying tuned in to each other’s needs and thinking of creative ways to protest are essential.
Action
The scale of the climate crisis means that there are lots of different actions that need to be taken, from lobbying decision-makers to improving the resilience of individual communities to extreme weather events.
One of the most important actions we can all take in our daily lives is talking about the climate crisis. Research suggests that, although around 89% of people want to see bolder policies to address climate change, people consistently underestimate how widespread support for climate action truly is. There is also evidence to suggest that, for most people, their most trusted source of information on the climate – apart from climate scientists – are their own friends and family.
People are much more likely to loudly demand meaningful action on climate change if they feel that most people agree with them. Even though it might not feel like much, simply expressing your concern for the climate to a friend or neighbour could have a much bigger knock-on effect than you would ever imagine.
Next steps:
Here are some further actions you might want to consider based on the time you have available.
30 seconds: Follow @toritsui on Instagram
1 minute: Sign #StopRosebank’s ‘No Oil Profits for Occupation and Genocide’ petition
5 minutes: Read about the proposed Rosebank oil field and why the UK Government needs to stop it
10 minutes: Email your MP telling them to #StopRosebank
15 minutes: Watch Greta Thunberg explain why her Palestine solidarity activism is part of her climate justice work
20 minutes: Learn about the Palestinian Institute for Climate Justice
1hr+: Read Spinning Out: Climate change, mental health, and fighting for a better future, by Charlie Hertzog Young