Older Adults and the Climate Crisis: A Scoping Review of Climate Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms

This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing global evidence regarding climate-related anxiety and coping mechanisms among older adults (aged 60 and above). While climate change research has increasingly focused on the psychological impacts on younger generations, the aging population—often facing unique vulnerabilities such as social isolation and physical frailty—remains an under-studied demographic in climate mental health discourse. By employing the JBI-recommended PCC (Population, Concept, Context) framework, this study will identify the primary drivers of climate-related distress (such as solastalgia and eco-anxiety) in seniors and synthesize the various psychological, social, and behavioral coping strategies they employ to manage this distress. The expected outcomes include a comprehensive mapping of the current literature, identification of critical research gaps, and the provision of a structured overview of coping mechanisms. This work will serve as a foundation for future mental health interventions and climate adaptation policies specifically tailored for the elderly.