Socio-demographic disparities in climate change anxiety among British Columbians impacted by successive extreme weather events

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to identify socio-demographic factors associated with climate change anxiety (CCA) in British Columbia, Canada, and examined the effect of compounding climate-related events in 2021 on CCA levels among historically marginalized populations.

Methods

Participants were recruited via social media across three cross-sectional survey waves from May to December 2021. A multivariate logistic regression model explored the association between moderate/high vs low/no CCA and socio-demographic characteristics, including age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, relationship status, occupation, income, education, geography, and political orientation. We tested for interaction effects between the survey wave and each socio-demographic factor to identify sub-populations with increasing CCA scores over time.

Results

Among 1179 participants, the median CCA score was 1.46 (range 1–5). The multivariable model revealed greater odds of moderate/high CCA among women, individuals unsure whether they wanted children, those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and those with a liberal political orientation. Individuals who were older, higher-income, and not in a relationship had lower odds of moderate/high CCA. Interaction effects revealed significant differences in CCA trends over time for most groups, except for ethnicity and relationship status. CCA increased over time among non-binary individuals, Indigenous participants, those who were slightly conservative, and those educated at a high school level or less.

Conclusions

This study revealed specific facets of social categories associated with increased CCA and identified disparities in CCA distribution and temporal patterns following exposure to successive extreme weather events. To effectively address CCA, tailored mental health interventions must be developed across diverse social categories.