Eco-paralysis is the experience of becoming so overwhelmed and distressed by the climate crisis that you’re unable to take action. This might mean avoiding talking about, thinking about the climate crisis, or not participating in action to help tackle the problem, despite being deeply concerned by it.
Eco-paralysis is a protective reaction triggered by stress, in the same way that we might activate our fight, flight or freeze reaction in response to a threat. Eco-paralysis describes a freeze response specifically in relation to the climate crisis.
Eco-paralysis can be mistaken for apathy. When the problem is too big for us to deal with our psychological defenses can kick in.
Further Reading
“The Myth of Apathy,” June 19, 2008. https://theecologist.org/2008/jun/19/myth-apathy.