Climate Change in The Netherlands

“The Netherlands'' means “The Low Lands.” Much of our country is already below sea level. We are a river delta and without the protection of dykes and dunes, 2⁄3 of our country would be flooded. As such, water is our livelihood and our vulnerability, necessitating keen monitoring and adaptation to protect against rising sea levels and stronger storms. However, heavier rainfall in the basin of the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt rivers is a bigger concern (1). Concurrently, heat waves surge, causing extreme droughts in summer. Intensive farming, industry, and traffic contribute to a nitrogen crisis (2), degrading soils, reducing biodiversity, and polluting air (3). Dutch citizens experience a spectrum of emotional and psychological responses, from eco-anxiety to denial, shaping a politically polarized discourse on climate change (4). To protect our vulnerable country and foster unity in tackling this critical, multifaceted problem, we need innovative solutions.

Climate-related mental health impacts

Psychologists in the Netherlands are witnessing a growing trend of clients attributing their mental health issues to climate change and humanity's response to it (5). Population studies reveal pervasive eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and eco-anger among citizens (6,7), reaching debilitating levels (8) as they grasp the severity of the climate and ecological crises. More directly, the heightened frequency and intensity of weather events cause stress, grief, and trauma through damages to property, infrastructure, and personal health. Heatwaves cause heat stress, sleep issues, and social isolation (9). Lower crop yields due to droughts form a risk for farmers’ livelihood (10) and are a contributing factor to suicide among farmers (11). Failing crops strain the cost of living for citizens, which can aggravate poverty and mental health issues (12). Despite these challenges, there is a gap in knowledge and resources, hindering our ability to address and mitigate the mental health consequences of the climate crisis for the Dutch population. Addressing these complex issues requires a comprehensive approach, incorporating both mental health care and action to mitigate and adapt to climate change (13,14,15)

Description of the intervention