Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
An assessment of public interests and concerns could improve initiatives to promote mental health and create programs focused on eco-anxiety, which can be defined as the distress caused by climate change that leads individuals to worry about their future. Since eco-anxiety information can be accessed through the Internet, the present study analyzed online searches and queries to determine eco-anxiety-related interests and concerns between 2004 and 2026 by using and describing relative search volume (RSV) data from Google Trends. Results showed that RSV for eco-anxiety rose globally over the study period. Higher RSV was observed in several high-income Western and European countries, whereas lower RSV was observed in several Eastern European and Asian countries across middle- and high-income groups. Top and rising queries reflected public interest in concepts, populations, research, and educational materials related to eco-anxiety. These findings show a growing online interest in eco-anxiety over time. However, variations in search behavior might be due to differences in internet access, digital literacy, language, and awareness of the term, rather than actual differences in how common or severe eco-anxiety is. Therefore, online resources about eco-anxiety should offer accessible, evidence-based information tailored to diverse populations and languages. These resources should also complement, not replace, wider mental health services and climate-related initiatives.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rowalt Alibudbud (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 8 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: