Climate Change Worry Scale

Are you deeply concerned about climate change? Take this test and find out.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | January 17, 2024

Climate worry refers to the emotional and psychological distress individuals experience due to their awareness of the magnitude and urgency of the climate crisis. It encompasses feelings of apprehension, fear, unease or repetitive thoughts about the current and future impact of climate change on the environment, biodiversity and human societies worldwide.

Caring about climate change is crucial as it poses significant threats to our planet, however, excessive worry can negatively impact mental well-being, leading to anxiety, depressed mood, strained relationships and feelings of exhaustion, helplessness or overwhelm.

The Climate Change Worry Scale is a 10-item test designed to help you gauge your level of concern about climate change and how it may be impacting different areas of your life.

You can take this test here. Please follow all of the steps to receive your results.

Step 1: Rate the statements below, from never to always, based on how frequently you experience these feelings.

1. I worry about climate change more than other people.

2. Thoughts about climate change cause me to have worries about what the future may hold.

3. I tend to seek out information about climate change in the media (e.g., TV, newspapers, internet).

4. I tend to worry when I hear about climate change, even when the effects of climate change may be some time away.

5. I worry that outbreaks of severe weather may be the result of a changing climate.

6. I worry about climate change so much that I feel paralyzed in being able to do anything about it.

7. I worry that I might not be able to cope with climate change.

8. I notice that I have been worrying about climate change.

9. Once I begin to worry about climate change, I find it difficult to stop.

10. I worry about how climate change may affect the people I care about.

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores to people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.

References: Stewart, A. E. (2021). Psychometric properties of the Climate Change Worry Scale. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,18(2), 494. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18020494