Climate Mental Health Disparities: A Biopsychosociocultural Perspective.

Abstract

Climate change (CC) is a global public health crisis. The historical exploitation of natural resources by colonial powers has accelerated CC such that the top 1% of global greenhouse gas emitters had carbon footprints greater than 50 tons of CO₂ each. This figure is more than 1,000 times greater than those of the bottom 1% of emitters,¹ Furthermore, disparities in greenhouse gas emissions across income groups are considerable. CC amplifies extant socioeconomic and health inequities, and acts as a threat multiplier with a disproportionate impact on marginalized and vulnerable populations. Children, especially those experiencing structural discrimination, are disproportionately vulnerable. Over 85% of the burden of CC is borne by children under the age of 5 years. Children's immature physiology, greater time spent outdoors, increased exposure to air, food, water per unity body weight, and dependence on caregivers make them more vulnerable to the effects of CC.² Here, we frame climate mental health as a biopsychosociocultural problem within extant inequitable socioeconomic and health structures, and offer recommendations for clinicians.