By guest writer, Veronica Frans
Many of us suffer from anxiety. It may be caused by environmental concerns including climate change, health issues, finances, family problems, aging for many of us, and more. Veronica, a former student of mine (Joe Sheldon), has worshipped with us at Trinity on several occasions. As a scientist, she faces many challenges. The recent fires in California driven by expanding climate change have weighed heavily on her mind. Because of the length of the of this important article, it will be split into two pieces in Creation’s Corner. This week you will read about Veronica as a scientist and how climate change anxiety has impacted her. The following “Corner” will then describe how Veronica’s faith has helped lessen what she describes as climate anxiety. As I sit at my computer writing this, Veronica is in Xi’am China speaking at the 2025 International Workshop on Geography and Sustainability.
The web link to the full article is https://biologos.org/post/finding-peace-in-the-midst-of-climate-anxiety?mc_cid=08c2cff23a&mc_eid=20ec14b1d5 I encourage you to consult, explore, and enjoy the full article. BioLogos is a rich source of information.
Finding Peace in the midst of Climate Anxiety, by Veronica Frans
Moving to California after finishing my doctorate last year felt like a dream. After the many years of hard work and trials that led me to this moment, I had made it. I landed a post-doctoral position at Stanford University, doing research in Monterey Bay. Living here means I get both the excitement of Silicon Valley and the refreshment of ocean waves. Absorbing my surroundings, I felt blessed. I felt like I could finally rest. But then the stressors came. January 7, 2025, marked the start of a massive series of wildfires in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. The fires ravaged over 57,000 acres of land, businesses, and homes across Southern California. Over 200,000 people were forced to evacuate. Hundreds of lives were eventually lost.
Though I lived six hours away from this disaster, this was the closest I had ever been to a climate-exacerbated crisis. I lamented the situation, as I normally do when I hear such news. But this time, it also hit me that I could be next.
Scenarios began running through my mind. Coming from New York City I had learned to be cautious on the streets but never had I experienced such a heightened level of fear, caution, and vigilance within my own home. I scrolled, asked, inquired, researched, and prepared, but there was no peace. For the first time in my life, I was experiencing “climate anxiety.”
I had heard of climate anxiety before, but until then I assumed it only meant being concerned or worried for our planet. It turns out that it is far more complex and intense. Climate anxiety (also known as eco-anxiety) is a lasting apprehensiveness, uneasiness, worry, and distress about climate change and its effects. It is far more persistent and difficult to control. Stemming from feelings of helplessness, powerlessness, and confusion, climate anxiety impacts more than your emotions. It can have cognitive, behavioral and emotional effects.
We live in a world where Creation groans (Romans 8: 22). It is a world of wounds. As a Christian, I acknowledge that the wounds to God’s creation are deep and troubling. We’re supposed to feel relieved when we say that climate change is big, but our God is bigger. We’re supposed to find comfort when we affirm that our God is sovereign and he will provide. We’re supposed to take heart when we declare that a new Heaven and a new Earth are coming. So why is it that when we say these things, anxiety about our planet remains?
As an ecologist, I regularly work with complex systems and theories. Yet, it’s only through my walk with Jesus that I’ve been able to resolve the complexities of my heart. As I daily confronted the Lord with my worries for our planet, I realized that phrases about his character, sovereignty, or victories weren’t relieving me because they required me to shift my focus to him. Without that shift, such phrases felt empty. I must rest on the fact that Jesus is not only our Comforter, but also our Teacher. Yes, he wants to be with us in our worries, anger, doubts, and angst. But while he is with us in those moments, he also wants to offer us a chance for change.
Thank you, Veronica, for sharing these words with us. In the next Creation’s Corner, Veronica will show how her climate anxiety has lessened.
Our Prayer: Lord, at those times in our lives when the magnitude of the problems we face seem overwhelming, we ask for your peace. Give us the wisdom to focus on those things that we can change and give to you those things that are beyond our bureau.
Thanks for caring!
— Joe Sheldon
Direct comments to Joe Sheldon at jksheldon43@gmail.com
Veronica is an ecologist whose research has taken her around the world to study human impacts on wildlife. She is a Stanford Science Fellow and National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stanford University. Her work has been featured in news such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, CNN, and many others. She is a member of the American Scientific Affiliation and Vice President of Christian Women in Science. Veronica is one of BioLogos’ newest Voices in the Speakers Bureau.
