France, Aug. 21 -- "I had to stop working, it was impossible for me to think about anything else," said 32-year-old engineer Andre.

Like millions of other French people, he is suffering from eco-anxiety, fuelled by this summer's heat and drought - and the constant exposure to images of raging fires, devastated forests, dried-out rivers and animals and birds suffering.

The panic attacks he experienced were so severe, he had to go on sick leave during the two-week heatwave that began in mid-June.

"I was completely paralysed and unable to concentrate," he told news agency AFP, adding that he was particularly upset by thoughts of "the summers to come".

He declined to give his full name, partly because of concerns about his employer and pa...