The Impact of Climate Change Anxiety on Disaster Preparedness in California's Wildfire Regions

Recent research in Lake County, California, one of the nation’s most wildfire-prone areas, reveals a significant link between climate change-related anxiety and proactive disaster preparedness among residents. A study titled "Understanding climate change anxiety and anticipatory climate disaster stress: A survey of residents in a high-risk California county during wildfire season," published in BMJ Mental Health, surveyed over 800 residents at the start of the 2023 wildfire season.

The findings indicate that residents with prior wildfire experiences and greater exposure to wildfire media reported higher levels of climate change anxiety and stress about future disasters. Interestingly, these heightened levels of concern prompted increased preparedness behaviors, such as assembling emergency kits and securing power outage supplies. Furthermore, individuals experiencing more anxiety and stress showed greater willingness to evacuate if ordered during a wildfire.

Tiffany Junchen Tao, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at UC Irvine and lead author of the study, explained that some level of anxiety could be adaptive, motivating essential disaster preparedness activities. However, she emphasized the importance of distinguishing between healthy concern and debilitating distress.

Senior author Roxane Cohen Silver, vice provost at UC Irvine, noted that understanding psychological responses like anxiety helps in designing effective emergency management and mental health interventions, especially as climate-related disasters become more frequent.

The study was co-authored by researchers from UC Irvine and Tufts University, highlighting the need for tailored disaster strategies that consider community vulnerabilities and socioeconomic challenges. The researchers stress the importance of providing adequate resources to support disadvantaged populations in engaging in preparedness actions.

Overall, these insights shed light on how emotional responses to climate change influence behavior, offering a pathway to enhance community resilience against worsening wildfires and climate disasters.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-climate-anxiety-hidden-disaster-preparedness.html