Wildlife TV presenter and campaigner Chris Packham has shared his earliest memory of eco-anxiety, describing a moment of 'blind rage' at age 14 that left an 'indelible mark' on him. Now 65, Packham lives in the New Forest with his partner Charlotte and two miniature poodles, Sid and Nancy.
A Life-Changing Encounter
Packham recalls feeding badgers near his childhood home. 'It was my first encounter with those animals and it was magical,' he told the Press Association. But when a housing development was proposed on the site, he opposed it, writing to local press and the council. One day, he returned from school to find bulldozers had destroyed the sett, killing badger cubs inside. 'I remember it was just like a blind rage. I was so upset, so desperately upset about what had happened, and yet I had no outlet to do anything positive.'
Growing Up with Threats
Living through the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties, Packham notes the threat of atomic war felt very real. He recalls 'ridiculous public information films about how to survive a nuclear attack' as a child, which fuelled his anxiety. 'I remember going to bed and thinking, am I going to wake up in the morning? I hope so, because I'm going out to catch some newts or something.' He adds, 'Thankfully, no one ever pressed the button on the missiles, but every young person knows that the button has been firmly pressed on climate breakdown.'
Understanding Eco-Anxiety
Packham, who studied zoology at the University of Southampton, defines eco-anxiety as when anxiety meets ecology: an extreme and constant worry about damage to the planet. While it can be 'chronic' and lead to despair, he believes it can also motivate change. 'What I learned and needed to learn quite young was that you've got to turn that energy into something positive. There's no point in screaming and shouting – that doesn't help anything.'
Channeling Anxiety into Action
Over the years, Packham has learned to channel eco-anxiety into 'something creative and positive' through campaigning, writing, photography, and raising awareness. Recently, two ads promoting British beef and milk were banned after he complained they misled consumers about carbon footprints. Packham is a vocal advocate for neurodiversity and mental health, openly sharing his struggles with depression and his late autism diagnosis in his 40s.
Support for Young People
Packham fears interventions and support are lacking for young people. 'It wasn't until my 40s that I finally got the therapy that I'd required all of my life. I regret that because, had it been available in my 20s, I think I probably could have skipped some pretty serious and disastrous mental health issues.' Now 65, he says he has learned to act immediately on warning signals but is 'gravely concerned' about the lack of support structures for young people.
New Book: 'Nature Is The Answer'
Packham's latest book, Nature Is The Answer: A Toolkit For Eco-Positivity, aims to help young readers understand eco-anxiety, build resilience, and make their voices heard. It features science-backed tips to lessen 'green grief', advice on activism, navigating social media, and discerning fake news. 'It's firstly about recognising the symptoms, suggesting ways of addressing those – communication, connection with nature – but ultimately, the mission is to turn someone who's eco-anxious into eco-active.'
Coping Strategies
Packham says eco-anxiety can cause him to withdraw, experience brain fog, and breathlessness. He finds routine, walking his dogs, and engaging with nature – listening to bird song or feeling bark and leaves – has a 'grounding, calming effect'. He also recommends forest bathing, a Japanese practice of relaxation among trees. 'Nature is the answer and winning is not giving up. The source of progress is the not giving up. You do trip up, there are hurdles… But you've got to learn to pick yourself up, dust yourself down, take a moment to consider what's happening, and then get going again.'
Nature Is The Answer: A Toolkit For Eco-Positivity by Chris Packham, illustrated by Conor Nolan, is published by DK, priced £9.99. Available now.
