Information as a Factor in Reducing the Psychological Impact of Climate Change: A Qualitative Research in Romania

Abstract

Climate change and its physical consequences are currently among the most discussed topics within the global change academic community. The issues of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience are thoroughly researched, both in terms of institutional and community measures and requirements, as well as in terms of potential impact at different spatial scales. This paper emphasizes that, along with the physical impact, the psychological effects of climate change and the psychological drivers of engaging in climate activism should also be considered to build individual resilience in a dynamic environmental context. The psychological impact is a significant dimension of human vulnerability to climate change, shaping people's perceptions, responses, and coping capacity. The paper focuses on the psychological consequences of climate-related events in an Eastern European context, through a series of 23 semi-structured interviews conducted in Romania, between October 2022 and July 2023. The results highlight people's concerns about climate change and the fact that they perceive information as a key factor in reducing climate anxiety.