Eco-Anxiety and Environmental Guilt: A Psychological Review of Emotional Drivers in Climate Behavior

Abstract This review paper explores two rising emotional responses to climate change — “eco anxiety” and “environmental guilt” — and how they influence people's attitudes and actions toward the environment. Eco-anxiety is the chronic worry or fear about the planet’s future due to climate change, while Environmental guilt is the feeling of regret or responsibility for harming the environment through daily choices. The study reviews existing psychological and behavioral research to understand how these emotions affect different groups — especially young people and whether they lead to positive climate actions or emotional burnout. It also examines the role of media, activism, and education in increasing or managing these emotions. While these feelings can motivate people to care more about the environment, they can also cause stress, helplessness, and inaction if not addressed properly. The paper highlights the need for more research in developing countries, where climate impacts are high but emotional responses are rarely studied.