The UMH of Elche recently hosted the citizen laboratory “Eco-anxiety and Climate Change,” a collaborative space that brought together international researchers from Brazil and Portugal, students from various disciplines, and members of local collectives such as Aigües d’Elx and Elche Acoge. The primary goal was to address the emotional and mental health impact of eco-anxiety, a phenomenon closely linked to the climate crisis.
The session, held last Monday on the Elche campus, was led by an emeritus researcher from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), an expert in participatory methodologies and citizen science. Throughout the day, participants shared knowledge, experiences, and concerns to identify challenges and co-create proposals to tackle eco-anxiety. This phenomenon is understood as a normal emotional response to climate change that, if not properly identified and managed, can lead to a deterioration of mental health.
The activity saw the participation of researchers from the Universidade de São Paulo, Universidad Presbiteriana Mackenzie, and Universidade do Porto, as part of the international Cli-Mind project. This initiative analyzes how youth perceive the climate crisis and the role of media in this process. The project is funded by the SPRINT program of the UMH Vice-Rectorate for International Relations and Cooperation and the Brazilian agency FAPESP. At the UMH, the team is led by a professor and includes journalism faculty members.
“"The creation of safe and judgment-free spaces, where all voices are expressed without the need for prior introduction, fosters equitable participation among citizens, academia, and students, facilitating the exchange of experiences and the joint generation of responses to climate change."
The participants, nearly thirty in total, agreed on the need to reframe the climate narrative, moving from an alarmist approach to a more balanced discourse that highlights ongoing initiatives and awareness efforts. This constructive approach helps generate hope and promote pro-environmental behaviors, especially among the younger population.
From this process emerged five locally applicable proposals aimed at improving climate communication. These include the creation of digital guides against disinformation, targeting both citizens and professionals; the dissemination of successful cases from other contexts; and the development of educational programs in Early Childhood and Secondary Education, involving students, teachers, and families.
