Do you feel overwhelmed by the impacts of climate change? If so, you are not alone.
The climate emergency got very real this past summer with a devastating heat dome effect in BC. Climate change increasingly affects how individuals and communities experience mental health and wellbeing. While not a formal diagnosis, the terms “eco-anxiety” and “eco-grief” are becoming more familiar. Eco-anxiety relates to having feelings of ongoing fear, worry and distress because of climate disasters. Eco-grief is a sense of loss related to ecosystem degradation. Coping with the impacts of climate change may leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. However, eco-anxiety and eco-grief are also adaptive and normal responses to a profound global threat. It is important that we maintain and build our resilience in response to climate change.
Ground yourself in the moment
The practice of grounding can help in moments where we feel emotionally overwhelmed. Try a grounding technique that connects you to the natural world, using a natural object like a stone, a small piece of driftwood or shell to focus on. Examine what the object feels like, its texture, colour and shape. See how many of your senses you can use to examine this natural object. As you do this, make a conscious effort to slow your breathing down.
Take action
Eco-anxiety and eco-grief can act as catalyst for positive change. Here are a few ways to take action:
- Get involved in community planning, advocate for active transportation, green spaces and equitable, antiracist policies. Climate change disproportionally affects racialized and marginalized people and communities. Take a moment to learn more about the intersections of climate justice and racial justice here.
- Reduce single occupancy vehicle trips, take advantage of the benefits of active transportation and enjoy more plant-forward meals.
- Check in with friends and family who may be experiencing climate stress or climate disasters, especially those who don’t have air conditioning or live with health conditions. Consider donating or volunteering in community emergency response and outreach efforts.
Focus on hope
Emotions connected to climate change have the potential to overwhelm us, depleting us of energy to stay engaged and motivated. All or nothing thinking can be a part of this problem. Remember that simple eco-friendly actions matter. Practice self compassion as a response to any guilt. Know that there are good reasons to have hope. Youth are mobilized, the cost of renewables and energy storage is decreasing, related job creation is flourishing and the issue is increasingly being viewed as an emergency and through a human rights lens. Hope is a powerful motivator!
If you want to learn more and get involved, check out the information and resources available through the UBC Climate Hub and find out what you can do on the David Suzuki Foundation webpage.
If you are on the Okanagan campus, ProPASS has launched. UBCO faculty and staff can enrol for discounted monthly transit passes.
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