I am writing this blog just over a week after wildfires started ravaging Los Angeles, leaving a trail of destruction behind. It has been unusually dry in Southern California for this time of year, meaning that vegetation has been ready tinder in the face of intensely strong winds. Many people have lost their homes, and several have died.
It feels like this is just another extreme weather event to add to all the others regularly being reported on the news these days. If you pay any attention to what is going on in the world, it's difficult to ignore the fact that our climate is heating at an alarming rate. And yet, it feels like so many people ARE ignoring it. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg (an apt metaphor!), but I am not going to spend any more time spelling out the problems, as I imagine those reading this will be all too aware of the seriousness of the situation for the planet. Neither am I here to try to make you feel better by downplaying the issues; the chances are that denial or minimisation by others around you, or those in power, has exacerbated your distress, making you feel more isolated in your concern. The anxiety you're feeling is a perfectly natural and logical response to threat and danger. I do, however, hope to shed some light on how to manage these feelings, and how to transform them into a force for positive change. We hear the terms climate anxiety (or eco-anxiety) used a lot, but I don't think this really captures the range of emotions people feel in response to the global heating catastrophe. I think it's very common for people to feel grief over the devastation they see and the loss of so many species. Anger and frustration are understandable emotions, when governments and corporations not only fail to take responsibility, but actually act in ways that perpetuate the problems. Guilt about living in ways that contribute to the problem, because it's impossible not to, and also of being somewhat removed from the immediate and most serious results of climate change. And fear, dread and powerlessness at watching the disaster unfold with such force and inevitability, whilst being unable to stop it. To better acknowledge this range of emotional phenomena, I prefer to use the term eco-distress, though somehow, as I write that down, I'm realising that maybe this is something too big for words. While some might say that it's best just to avoid thinking about this stuff and focus on the good things in life, I would argue that living as if these things aren't important to you, when actually they are, leads to a cognitive dissonance that can be anxiety-inducing in itself. But how do you carry on caring without spiraling into deep despair? How do you continue to try to live in planet-friendly ways when it all feels like a tiny drop in the ocean, and there's a massive tsunami heading towards you (another fitting analogy?!). I think the trick is to hold the tension between despair and hope. A little like the dual process theory of grief, whereby the bereaved individual flits between mourning the devastating loss, and re-building their lives. The thing is to believe that your actions do matter, however small they are. Even if you never see their results. You may well be helping to open up opportunities for climate conversations or inspiring someone else to do their bit. Whether it's making little changes to your lifestyle, or taking part in larger-scale activism, it all counts. Taking action can help you to overcome the feelings of powerlessness, and living out your values allows you to feel more confident and authentic. Anxiety feels very isolating, so joining communities of like-minded people can help you to combat this. You are not alone, even if your immediate family and friends don't seem to get it. Rather than trying to have conversations where you get shut down, find spaces where your voice will be heard and taken seriously. There is solidarity in standing with others who share your beliefs and priorities- it can be hugely validating. Finally, don't shy away from the uncomfortable feelings. Instead, try to work through them. Therapy can be a good place to do this, and as a nature therapist who shares your concern for the planet, I may be able to offer you support. Resource List: www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-cope-with-eco-anxiety.html www.theguardian.com/wellness/2023/nov/16/climate-anxiety-tips www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00050qr
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AuthorLaura Green Archives
September 2024
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